April 1, 2013 (Alpine) – Enter your pre -1973 cars in The Alpine Car Show fundraiser on April 20 at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. A pancake breakfast will be served from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.  Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will consist of a hot dog or hamburger with chips and a drink.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery, video by Paul Kruze

March 22, 2013 (Alpine) – “This truly is a game changer for East County,” said Joe Terzi, Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Tourism Authority, at a VIP grand opening last night of the $36 million, five-story hotel at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine.  He hailed the new resort as a “great new addition to the San Diego region” that will help East County benefit from tourism that drives San Diego’s economy.

Dignitaries and community leaders from across our region turned out for last night’s occasion.  A second opening for the public, including a free world premier performance of the Cirque-style show “Rise”, will be held on Saturday night, March 23 along with fireworks to celebrate East County’s landmark new  addition.

View our exclusive video, see our photo gallery and read details of this landmark occasion below.

March 15, 2013 (Alpine) -- An 11--year-old boy has been struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Alpine Boulevard and Tavern Road, Incident Page Network (IPN) reports. Mercy Air is on standby.

According to the CHP website, the vehicle that struck the child is a Honda Odyssey.

Watch for updates on this story soon.

By Tom Myers

March 8, 2013 (Alpine)--This question will be addressed at the next ACPG Circulation Subcommittee, scheduled for 6:30 pm on March 14 at the Alpine Community Center.

Bob Citrano, SD County Planner will be on hand to explain the roadway improvements recommended in a recent Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. San Diego County is seeking public comments on the SEIR report for the Former FCI lands which are the subject of a proposed amendment to the San Diego General plan adopted in 2011. Although the amendment deals with land use density changes in nine planning areas within the County including areas north, east and south of Alpine, the traffic assessment portion of the SEIR deals with the traffic impacts that increased population would bring to Alpine.

March 6, 2013 (Alpine) – David Grub, 43, was taken into custody in the 1800 block of Tavern Court in Alpine last Thursday.  A SWAT team was called in to assist in the arrest, the Alpine Community Network reports.

Grub , along with another suspect still at large, is suspected of robbing a home in Rancho Santa Fe shortly before Christmas, where a housekeeper was held at gunpoint, then left handcuffed to a door when the suspects fled in a blue Hyundai.

Update February 24: The boil water notice has been cancelled.  View notice here. 

Photo courtesy of the Alpine Community Network

February 23, 2013 (Alpine) – Yesterday’s water main break and sinkhole continue to cause problems for merchants and residents in Alpine, where a boil water order remains in effect to protect public health.  (View map of affected areas.)

Padre Dam indicates it may be up to 72 hours before the problem will be resolved.  “In the meantime almost ALL of our Alpine restaurants had to close last night (on a busy Friday night),” Angela Brookshire, editor of the Alpine Community Network, told ECM.

By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2013 (Alpine)—In the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, school districts across America are examining security procedures to consider the unthinkable – how to respond if confronted with a gunman aiming to commit mass murder.

The debate is raging in Alpine, where at least one parent is calling for armed guards in public schools.  On February 21, the Alpine Union School District Board will hear a report from Superintendent Pellegrino on school safety measures in place and new concepts to consider—ranging from enhanced lockdown procedures to potentially, adding armed guards and perimeter controls to local campuses.

February 17, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Library celebrated “Library Lovers’ Day” in style, with a delightful performance of the Alpine Chamber Players. The audience enjoyed beautiful classical pieces, intermixed with rousing and romantic vocal numbers sung by Sylvia Hartman, the group’s pianist and leader. Alpine Library Friends Association sponsored the program, and also provided delicious Valentine cookies for all in attendance.

Other Library News for this week include:

1. The next “RUFF Readers” program is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19. Call now (619-445-4221) to sign up for a slot after school, and read toward a FREE book! Beginning March 5, we will be offering this program weekly.

By Lou Russo

January 19, 2013 (Alpine)--Thursday night, January 17th, I attended the Alpine Union School Board meeting.  At that meeting I spoke regarding this article (which I had sent to the superintendent and board members a number of days ago):

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-north/retired-state-troopers-hired-to-guard-butler-area-schools-670073/

January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Alpine resident Jeff Campbell, a realtor with Jeff Campbell & Associates, will be installed as 2013 president of the 1,900-member Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors at PSAR’s 2013 board of directors installation dinner and celebration on Friday, Jan. 18. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Bonita Golf Course, 5540 Sweetwater Road, in Bonita. Seats cost $45 per person, or $400 for a table of eight. Register online at www.psar.org or www.esdcar.org, or phone (619) 421-7811 or (619) 579-0333.

January 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest will conduct prescribed burning from January 15, 2013 through June 30, 2013 when weather and fuel moisture conditions permit.  This vegetation removal is for the purpose of hazardous fuels reduction, community defense zone maintenance and forest health.  The prescribed burning will take place at various locations on the District including Palomar Mountain, Ramona, San Diego Country Estates, Sunshine Summit and Aguanga.  The projects will cover approximately 700 acres.  Some drifting smoke may be visible during the period of burning.

Residents and other public may call Battalion Chief Tim Gray at 619-902-1414 for more information.

By Lou Russo

“We in Alpine …seem to be saddled with governments that cannot or will not serve us, but instead seem to serve everyone else but us.”—Lou Russo

“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Dec. 2, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is celebrating the season with A Merry, Beary Christmas on Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  There will be cocktails and an array of wine samplings, delicious cuisine from “Chubby’s” food truck and beautiful holiday gifts from over 20 vendors.

Suggested donations (made in advance) are for members $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and non-members $25 for adults and $15 for children.  The price will increase $20 at the gate.  Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

November 20, 2012 (Alpine) – Myra Thompson Bull, L.Ac., will present a workshop on Saturday, December 1.  Learn how to make winter wellness remedies in your own kitchen from easily available ingredients—just in time for cold and flu season. Enjoy a morning of delightful scents and wise recipes to ward off winter ailments.  This hands-on workshop will be followed by a light lunch.