By Greg Dunne

June 22, 2013 (Alpine)--“I'm a bluebird, I'm a bluebird I'm a bluebird, yeah, yeah, yeah,” to quote Paul McCartney. Just last week our “children” left the nest here in Alpine, our Western Bluebird children, that is. We enjoyed their company for about three weeks.

We have a birdhouse sitting on the railing going down steps leading to the front door of our house. It was put there some time ago just for yard décor; we thought it was too close to everyday foot traffic to be a choice place to set up raising baby birds.

June 4, 2013 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort has been awarded the prestigious Four Diamond status from the American Automobile Association (AAA), officially designating the property as one of the nation’s premier resort destinations.

Fewer than 5% of the nearly 31,000 properties approved by AAA achieve the highly-coveted Four Diamond distinction.

“We are extremely proud to be acknowledged as one of the finest resort destinations in the country,” said Viejas Casino & Resort General Manager Chris Kelley. “This honor is a testament to the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our Team Members and reflects our absolute dedication to the highest standards of guest service, accommodations and amenities.”

June 2, 2013 (Alpine)--Alpine Sheriff's Station will host a free community meeting for homeowners on how to prepare your homes and families for wildfire. The event will be held Monday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Boulevard in Alpine.  A severe fire season is anticipated due to drought, so authorities urge residents to learn how to reduce risk of loss and help firefighters protect your properties before the next major wildfire occurs.

Guest Speakers will include:

By Janis Mork

May 22, 2013 (Alpine)- On May 21, Alpine Soroptomist had a special meeting to honor the organization’s Women of Achievement Award recipient, Brenda Killingbeck (pictured with program chair, Patty Tweed, and her two sons). She came with her sons,  Clayton, 9, and 6-year-old Mason.

“The Women of Achievement Award is awarded to a single mom in East County trying to make a better life for herself, who is trying to support her family, enhance her career, or change careers,” said Patty Tweed, program chair.

She introduced Killingbeck and read a short biography about Killingbeck, an Alpine resident and nurse whose actions helped locate a missing elderly man.

By Nadin Abbott

April 26, 2013 (Alpine)—A meeting of the Alpine Planning Group this week grew heated as Lou Russo, a long time member of the group, raised conflict of interest complaints stemming from the San Diego Powerlink against fellow members. Russo also sought to have two subcommittee members removed over failing a fire inspection at their propertly.

Mike Milligan stated that he would “tender my resignation” if the attacks continue over Powerlink, adding, “It’s stupidity beyond belief.” 

He added, “It is totally unprofessional and Mr Russo should tender his resignation.”

April 23, 2013 (Alpine) – The public is invited to sample wines from California and the world, as well as enjoy tastings from restaurants throughout the County at Vintage Alpine on Sunday, May 5 from 1-4 p.m.  The event will be held at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs.  Guests can also stroll through the gardens, listen to music and bid on silent auction items.  

The event is sponsored by the Alpine Kiwanis Club. Proceeds benefit Kiwanis projects including Bike Rewards for perfect attendance in elementary schools, equipment for youth sports, local scout troops, plus East County Special Olympics Track and Field.

By Tom Myers, Alpine Community Planning Group Circulation Committee

Is your pavement all cracked up because of the Powerlink construction? Is the ride home rougher than it should be on your car suspension? We want to hear from YOU!

At the next meeting of the Alpine Community Planning Group Circulation Subcommittee we will discuss roads that were damaged by SDG&E heavy trucks and equipment but not yet resurfaced. You may recall that SDG&E representatives promised us at several ACPG meetings that they would restore any damage to Alpine area roadways caused by their operations. Now that their work is done, many of us have been waiting for the repairs.

April 3, 2013 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers and Bears created a new habitat for two black bears last year.  The new arrivals were Sugar Bear, rescued from a failed sanctuary in Ohio, and Meatball, whose antics including swimming in backyard pools and stealing meatballs from a freezer meant he could no longer live in the wild. 

Now, LTB founder Bobbi Brink has learned of seven more black bears in Ohio in desperate need of rescue -- so she is seeking donations from the community to help.

“These seven bears have never known the life they deserve,” Brink says. “One, named Maddie, was originally purchased as a pet. Unsurprisingly, her family was unable to care for her as she grew, and they considered selling her to a canned hunt ranch. Her current owner stepped in to spare her that fate, but has only been able to provide a corn crib for her habitat. That is where Maddie has spent the past seven years.”

April 1, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) “Fun”-Raiser honoring Angela August on April 14, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd.  Angela was in a fatal car crash in Alpine caused by an alleged drunk driver on June 11, 2012.  She was only five days away from her graduation from UCSD with the highest honors.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2013 (Alpine)—Seven Alpine businesses have filed a lawsuit alleging that SDG&E failed to adequately reimburse business owners for losses caused by the two-year project to underground the high-voltage Sunrise Powerlink lines along Alpine Boulevard.  Plaintiffs allege that some businesses were forced out of business, while others suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenues.

An attorney for plaintiffs contends that SDG&E did not live up to its promises to mitigate construction impacts by limited portions of Alpine Boulevard, instead creating a “gauntlet of construction obstacles” that drove customers away.

March 17, 2013 (Alpine)--You're invited to the Viejas Casino Hotel Grand Opening  on March 23 at 8 p.m.  Join the grand opening weekend VIP party and the world premiere of "Rise." A 30-minute cirque experience specially commissioned for the occasion, this breathtaking exhibition of artistry and acrobatics could only be followed by one thing-fireworks.

Stick around after the show and take in an incredible display that will literally ring in Viejas Hotel's Grand Opening with a bang.

March 6, 2013 (Alpine) -- Ready for some revelry?  Don your best masquerade wear for a Mardi Gras Ball presented by the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce on March 16 in the Alpine Community Center from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. 

Festivities will include the New Orleans Band, a costume parade ($100 prize for the best), and the crowning of a Mardi Gras king and queen.  A live auction, tarot card readings and a no-host bar will also be available, along with hand-painted "never empty" signature Mardi Gras glasses for sale.

March 6, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Foundation will present a Mardi Gras parade on March 10 from 1-4 p.m. at the Alpine Creek Town Center shopping center.  The parade will feature floats and the Easter Bunny.

Admission is free to the event, which also features a craft fair, face painting, food booths from local restaurants, West Coast Riders action photos and more.

By Jake Christie

March 4, 2013 (Alpine)--The Alpine Union School District Trustees Board discussed security measures at its latest meeting, in light of recent out-of-state school shootings. But the audience (including many teachers) was far more interested in the economic viability of the district than any security program.

Superintendent Tom Pellegrino began with a rundown of what the Alpine district was planning to do with security.

Update February 23:  The sinkhole is being filled; see photo left.

Photos by Greg Dunne

February 22, 2013 (Alpine) – A water main break has created a sinkhole on Alpine Boulevard at the intersection of Victoria Drive.  The break occurred this afternoon, forcing closure of Victoria Drive.

Repairs may take 24 hours, a workman told ECM photographer Greg Dunne. 

The Alpine Comunity Network reports that a boil water order has been issued for area residents.