Ramona, CA

Rodeo FUN Facts       The word "rodeo" is loosely derived from the Spanish word for "round-up," or literally, rodear, to surround. The English word "rodeo" was first used around 1834 to refer to a cattle round-up. Rodeo events are based on the real-life skills of working vaqueros and cowboys, first in... More ... New Library Site Celebrated By Ruth Lepper       County library officials and community residents turned out on April 19 to celebrate the site of a new library planned for Ramona. The event-filled day was complete with a hot-air balloon to recognize the occasion as a "lift-off" for the proposed library. More ... Tying the Knot in Country Elegance By Tracy Rolling       Can couples plan the happiest day of their lives creatively, elegantly and locally, while observing a sensible budget? "Sure they can," says Ashley Hall, a local preschool teacher, and Garrett Butler, a heavy equipment operator, who are counting down the days until their fall wedding. More ... Military Services Planned for George Ragsdale December 14, 1931 - April 10, 2008       By Ruth Lepper Seven months after losing his wife to cancer, George Ragsdale succumbed to an apparent heart attack. He was 76. His wife of 40 years, Beverly Ragsdale, died Sept. 9, 2007. They were married in 1967 in San Diego and moved to Ramona in 1975. More ... The Santa Maria Land Grant By Darrell Beck       The first recorded mention of the Santa Maria Valley (then known as Valley de Pamo) was found in Spanish records when, in March of 1778, Sgt. Guillermo Cabrillo and eight soldiers from San Diego mission came through the area to put down an Indian insurrection. More ... More Than Meets the Eye: Daily Writing Has Long Lasting Benefits for Student Writers Submitted By Club Z       A writer's world is often an imaginary land, filled with extraordinary characters and endless possibilities. Even in the ugliest of circumstances, there is always hope for a happy ending, or at the very least, some sanity. Surprisingly, the creativity that students pour into the art ... More ... Riata Ranch Performance Clinic Comes to Julian       Girls who like gymnastics or horses - or both - will find much to enjoy at the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls Western Performance Clinic, coming to Julian, May 24 to 26. The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls will demonstrate their amazing horseback feats, and will instruct girls in a few of the... More ... Harlem Ambassadors vs. Ramona Rockets      The Harlem Ambassadors basketball team plays a game of musical chairs with children who attended the April 26 Ramona Rotary fundraiser. Photo by John Jones More ... Cornerstone Riding Center Plans Interactive Fundraiser       Food, fun, kids corral and country music are highlights. Cornerstone Therapeutic Riding Center is holding an Equine Microchipping Clinic and Chili Cook-Off fundraiser on May 17. But that's only the beginning. "This is going to be a great family fun event! More ...      Elaine Pickle, wife of John Pickle, holds a posthumous award John received from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The award was in honor of his significant contributions to East County. John Pickle passed away January 2008. John's horse, Bud, is shown with Elaine. More ... Brian Jones Has Firefighter Support in Bid for Congressional Seat       Brian Jones, candidate for the 52nd Congressional District currently held by Rep. Duncan Hunter, received support from a coalition of firefighters representing nearly every firefighter association, and nearly every city and unincorporated area in the 52nd District. More ... www.RamonaEvents.com       Miss Ramona Scholarship Pageant The Miss Ramona Scholarship Pageant takes place at 7 p.m. on May 3 at the Charles R. Nunn Performing Arts Center at Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Ln. Tickets are $12 at the door. Call 760-789-7525 for information. More ... Little People's Learning Center Fundraiser      Little People's Learning Center Director Jill Bacorn poses with student Luke Schwuchow during a fundraiser held to expand the preschool by 1,600 square feet and increase attendance from 45 to 65 children. More ... San Diego County Ford Dealers 2008 Scholarships      The San Diego County Ford Dealers Salute to Education 2008 scholarships were awarded to six Ramona High School scholars in an awards ceremony on April 22 at Copley Symphony Hall. Checks for $1,000 were granted to 125 graduating seniors from San Diego County. Ramona's scholarship recipients are, fron... More ... National Automotive Technology Competition      Ramona High School seniors Troy Thompson, left, and Trevor Calton, right, competed in the National Automotive Technology Competition finals held March 25 and 26 in New York City. Ramona High automotive class instructor Robert Grace, center, is proud of their fourth- place win, in competition with 36... More ... www.RamonaEvents.com      Jim Salvatore, seated center, celebrated his 90th birthday in April at the Ramona Senior Center. Surrounding Jim with birthday wishes are Nancy Walker, seated, and standing from left, Hazel Cardwell, Lorraine Crane, Connie Parham, Barbara Smith and Mary Black. Photo by Tom Parham More ... Ag Program Gets Some Star Power KOGO Broadcasts From Ramona By Regina Elling       Ramona residents hit the airwaves in droves recently, all in support of agriculture and some local youth ag programs. The airwaves were accessible, in part, due to Roger Hedgecock, of AM 600 KOGO radio, bringing his popular show to town. From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., he broadcast his show li... More ... Ramona Students Earn Skills USA Medals By Annette Williams       Ramona High School was well represented at the Skills USA State Skills and Leadership Conference competition, when 14 out of 25 RHS students attending earned medals, and one placed in the top five in two categories. The statewide competition was held in Fresno from April 10- 13. More ... San Vicente Valley Club Annual Home and Garden Tour       The San Vicente Valley Club will hold its Annual Home and Garden Tour and Event on May 10. The tour takes in two beautiful homes, one condo and the Veraque House, home of the Guy B. Woodward Museum. Marilyn and John Wilson's French country design condo home in the San Diego Country Esta... More ... Ramona Concert Association Brings Quality Entertainment       Ramona Concert Association marks 24 years of bringing quality musical entertainment to Ramona. Season tickets are on sale now, but discounted prices are available only through June 1. "The season promises to be filled with top quality music, entertainment and variety," said RCA Presiden... More ... Lacaze Learning Center Hosts Open House       Lacaze Learning Center offers tutoring in all subjects for children of elementary and junior high school ages. Summer classes in chemistry and SAT preparation will be held for high school-age students, and students entering third grade through seventh grade may also elevate their skills in ma... More ... Heritage is Earned, Learned and Celebrated By Tracy Rolling       The Fifth of May translated in Spanish is none other than "Cinco de Mayo." It's a day of celebration, thought to have been the Day of Independence for Mexico, but in truth, it is really a day of Latino pride, heritage and religious observation. More ... Youth a Big Draw at Ramona Rodeo By Regina Elling       It only took about 20 minutesfor all the available open spots in the Ramona Rodeo's Junior Barrel Racing category to be taken. "We began accepting signups at 10 a.m. on a recent Monday morning," says Vanessa Aspin, who has been the director of the Junior Barrel Racing at the rodeo fo... More ... Annual Fire Preparedness       The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and the Barona Fire Department conducted their annual Fire Preparedness Exercise April 21-23. More ... HIT THE TRAIL Oak Oasis By Karen Carlson       Not far from Ramona, on Wildcat Canyon Road, lays a pearl to the trail community. Oak Oasis Open Space is a place you'd miss, driving toward Lakeside, if you didn't know what it was. The entrance is well marked with its own turn lane, but the area is so beautiful you'd miss it looking at th... More ... Duncan D. Hunter Candidate for 52nd Congressional District       Duncan D. Hunter was born in San Diego and grew up in the 52nd District of California. He earned a degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University, then went to work full time in San Diego as a Business Analyst. On September 12, 2001, Hunter quit his job, and joined th... More ... Colonel Rick Powell is Candidate for 52nd Congressional District Retired Federal Agent and Military Officer Seeks Hunter's Seat       Colonel Rick Powell, a retired federal agent and longtime Ramona resident, has announced his candidacy for the 52nd Congressional District of California, a seat currently held by Rep. Duncan Hunter who is retiring after 28 years of service in the House of Representatives. More ... Business Briefs       Luis Carbajal Opens Farmers Ins. Office Longtime Ramona resident Luis Carbajal has opened a Farmers Insurance office at 1410 Main St., Suite A, serving Ramona and backcountry customers. All types of residential and commercial insurance and financial services are offered. More ... Ramona Garden Club Tour      The home of Norm and Sally Campbell was featured on the Ramona Garden Club Tour. The bench sits at a perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the garden. Photos by Regina Elling More ...