Clubs & Organizations

Ramona Garden Club donated and planted two 15-gallon oak trees on April 28 in front of Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department Station 95 on state Route 78. Shown here, from left, are: Jose Jacinto, Firefighter Fred D'Acquisto, Firefighter Mike Bailey, co-chair Julia Jacinto, vice president Ramona Valencia, president Patricia Frederick and secretary Teri Schmidt. The Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of the month at the Ramona library.

Ramona's clubs and organizations are gearing up for summer with a variety of happenings going on in June. Read on and take advantage of the many opportunities available.

Al-Anon Family Group meets at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the North Rural Recovery Center, 323 Hunter St. Visit www.alanonsandiego.org.

Business Network International is a business and professional networking organization offering members an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and referrals. The Ramona chapter meets at 6:45 a.m. Tuesdays at the Ramona Sizzler. Call membership committee member Tim Lawless at (760) 440-9590.

Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department Academy No. 3 graduates 12 recruits on May 20 during a ceremony at the Firehouse Museum in San Diego. With their new badges pinned in place, they are ready to stand shifts at Station 95. The new Firefighters have had nine months of training in various subjects, including firefighting, rescue operations, vehicle extrication and emergency medical procedures. Photos by Jami Miner

Elizabeth Hospice is facilitating a free education and support group for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.This group meets Tuesday's from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Ramona Medical Group building at 1516 Main St., #104. Call AnnMarie Whitehead at (760) 737-2050.

Ramona Fibromyalgia Support Group provides an opportunity of information sharing, encouragement and fellowship.The meetings are 1 p.m. every second Tuesday at the Congregational Church, 404 Eighth St. Contact Janis at (619) 271-7295 or Nancy at (760) 789-1635.

Chamber representatives attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of Brockmire Plumbing. Holding the scissors are owners Eric and Christine Brockmire. Photo By Jennifer Jenkin

Intermountain Republican Women will be hosting an "Americana Celebration & Old Fashioned BBQ" at Lake Sutherland Berry Farm at 5:30 p.m. on June 5. Addressing the group will be James Bruce Joseph Sievers. For the past 30 years, he has spoken to more than 7,000 groups across America and has been awarded the George Washington Medal of Honor for his presentation, "An American in Love With His Country." Sievers has published five books, was a Green Beret in the US Army and is a devoted husband and father of five sons. Judy Taylor, composer and lyricist of a song adopted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as its national anthem, will provide an inspirational performance of Americana music. Dinner will include grilled hamburger with bun and all the trimmings, potato salad, baked beans, chips, beverages and Julian pies for $15 per person. For reservations, call (760) 787-0668, (760) 765-0412 or (760) 741-1338. Dress casually, wear comfortable shoes, bring a sweater or jacket and a flashlight. The public is invited. For information, call Rachel Meyer at (760) 788-8902.

Joseph Banegas, right, councilman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, presents $1,500 to Gordon Zick, past Kiwanis president and chairman of Project Lifesaver program being run by the Ramona Sheriff's station. Looking on is Darrell Beck. The Ramona club raised more than $15,000 to get the only project of this type in San Diego County up and running. Photo courtesy of Charlie Teichert Jr.

Intermountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department is accepting applications for reserve firefighters. Upon successful completion of the interview process and acceptance, candidates without a Firefighter 1 certificate will be enrolled in the 2006 Reserve Academy. Applications will be accepted through June 30. Intermountain Reserve Firefighters staff responds to emergency calls from the station on Highway 78, east of Ramona. Applications can be downloaded from www.intermountainfire.org or e-mail pio@intermountain fire.org with questions. The second annual Intermountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department invitational dinner and auction will be 5 to 10 p.m. on July 22 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center pavilion, 421 Aqua Lane. Last year's event attracted more than 280 local residents more are expected this year. The theme, "A Night in the Islands." will feature a "Kamaaina Luau" menu with a floor show performed by the "Halou Hula O'Ka'co." Tickets are $40. For information, contact Gloria Folkens at (760) 787-0598.

Janet McGinn, RN, NMD was a guest speaker at the San Vicente Inn on May 4 at 7 p.m. She gave a preventative talk called, "Be Your Own Cause." This was hosted by Suzanne Butler, BA, HHP of Team 4 Life, as part of the ongoing Free Health Education Series, offered to the Intermountain Community. Photo by Jamey Ritter

The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery presents the aesthetic amenities of life in Ramona as members of the gallery present "All About Ramona in Art." Nonmembers may exhibit work pertaining to Ramona and the surrounding area for a fee of $10.The Discovery Room will feature works by Janine Hanson and Laurie Beltran. A reception for the artists will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on June 10. Visit The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery, 845 Main St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays or 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays or call (760) 789-3682.

Chamber representatives attend the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of Homestead Lending & Investments. Holding the scissors are owners Kent and Emily Taylor. Photo by Carol Kinney

Ramona Chamber of Commerce's next networking mixer will be co-hosted by Ramona Home Journal and Bella Manufactured and Modular Homes, 709 and 713 D St, The mixer will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 15. Entry tickets are $5 and includes business networking opportunities, drawings and more. For information, contact mixer chairperson Kathy Smiley at (760) 788-9384 or visit www.ramonachamber.com.

The 36th annual Ramona Country Fair sponsored by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers and vendors. Types of vendors will include artists, crafters, nostalgic farm equipment displays, re-enactment groups, historical displays, food vendors, nonprofit organizations and more. The fair will take place Aug 3 to 6. For vendor information, call Tracy Turner at (760) 765-4758 or (760) 787-1752. Ramona Country Fair is an annual fundraiser for the chamber and is staffed and funded entirely by volunteers. There are several openings on various committees that could use your talents and skills. This is a great opportunity to get involved. If interested in volunteering or for more information, call the chamber office at (760) 789-1311 or visit www.ramonafair.com.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob attends the Community Enhancement Award presentation. The award is from the Ramona Rotary Club to the Ramona Chamber of Commerce Information Center. Photo by Bonnie Beach

Ramona Council of Arts Unlimited presents its 35th annual dance recital at 7 p.m. on June 10 at the Charles R. Nunn Performing Arts Center. Dancers from ages 2 to adults will perform a variety of dances. Arts Unlimited, a not-for-profit organization, offers enrichment classes throughout the year and will begin the summer session of classes in June. Classes offered are jazz dance/hip hop, karate, tumbling, preschool dance and movement, tot tumbling, fitness and Summer Dancin' 2006. Call (760) 788-0914 to register.

Alex Schlumpberger, a new Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts Troop 630, is congratulated by Ken Dower of VFW Post 3783, at a Court of Honor ceremony on May 21. Alex's parents are Jerry and Sharon Schlumpberger, of Ramona. Alex has enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and reports for training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, on July 24. Photo Courtesy of Ken Dower

Ramona Garden Club will meet at noon on June 14 at the Ramona library community room,1406 Montecito Road. Water conservation specialist Patty Bevers will be the featured speaker. Bevers has worked at Ramona Municipal Water District since 1997 and is certified by the American Water Works Association as a water conservation practitioner. Her special interests are the opportunities for outdoor water conservation by the use of water-wise gardening selections. Through various county agencies, the public is becoming increasingly eager to make water-wise decisions when developing their Southern California landscapes. The Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month, excluding July and August. Meetings are open to the public. Call Patricia Frederick at (760) 788-9177 or Ramona Valencia at (760) 604-1852 or visit www.ramonagardenclub.com.

The May students of the month were recognized at a recent Rotary club meeting. Shown here, from left, are: Ramona High School student Stacy Dellens, teacher Julia Bridgewate; Mountain Valley Academy teacher Marie Davis, student Amber Langlois; Montecito High School student Nicki Nachtneble, teacher Christine Hill; Sun Valley Charter student Britney LeBaron and teacher Veronica Farran. Photo by Carol Kinney

Ramona Rotary Club meets at noon Tuesdays at the Ramona Sizzler. For information, call president Bill Jenkin at (760) 443-1306.

Ramona United Methodist Church will host a "Who-dun-it" mystery dinner show on at

7 p.m. on June 2 and 3.Tickets are $20 for an Italian dinner and mystery show. Murder, "Music and Mayhem" is the title and it is being presented by the Wesleyan Thespians. Members of the congregation will be the amateur actors representing many characters from gangsters to their associates. The action-packed play is set in New York. E-mail Garnette Riney at garnette@sdcoe.net for more information.

Ramona Rotary donated a bench to Ramona High School. Shown above being carried on the bench by members of Fusion to the permanent location is Susan Wiley of Rotary; at right is Jim Plum, sponsor of Fusion Club. Below, members of Fusion surround the bench. Photos by jamey ritter

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association is a "grape roots" organization that meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at members' homes/vineyards. The group discusses topics such as viticulture and other matters of interest to the vineyard and winemaking community. Current projects include encouragement of new vineyard development, vineyard expansion and utilization of sustainable agricultural practices. Ramona Valley is designated as an American Viticultural Area. The next RVVA meeting will be 7 p.m. on June 27. New members and visitors are welcome. For information and meeting location, email RVVA organizer Bill Schweitzer at bill@ paccielo.com.

Ramona Pinto League player JT Roulier connects with the ball at Ramona Pony League's Memorial Day Tournament. Photo by Darrel Kinney

Ramona Women's Connection group will meet at 11:30 a.m. on June 21. Come learn about the many interesting, fun, and close-by places to entertain those young ones this summer. You will be surprised at all the wonderful sights that Ramona has to offer. The luncheon buffet also will include Donna Jacobson sharing her story of "Chosen Twice for Adoption." Her unique life-story was featured in People magazine, and resulted in her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show and 20/20. The meeting is a salad-bar luncheon and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Ramona Sizzler. Tickets are $8.50. For reservations or information, call Francine at (760) 788-1378 or Carol at (760) 788-1348 or email ramonawomensconnection@yahoo.com. Free childcare is available by reservation.

San Vicente Saddle Club invites you to its annual poker ride on June 3. The event will start at the International Equestrian Center, 16911 Gunn Stage Road. Check in at 9 a.m. with the first group riding out at 10 a.m. Groups will be small. Ride the trails around San Diego Country Estates, enjoy great food, a fun raffle and a possible winning poker hand. Tickets are $20 per rider which includes lunch, two raffle tickets and one poker hand. Additional poker hands are $5. Raffle tickets are $1 for each additional raffle ticket or $5 for six tickets. For information, call (760) 533-6990 or (760) 789-7665.

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter networking group will begin holding meetings at a new location in June. New meeting dates and times will be published as they become available. The group will meet at Sizzler, 344 Main St. Each business may be represented by one member and the members will refer business within the chapter. Guests are welcome. RSVP to founder Suzanne Butler at (760) 787-9434.

Warner Springs Historical Society and Cultural Association will host a book signing for San Diego County Native Plants authored by James Lightner. A presentation will be provided on the topic "Plants General Kearney Saw at Warner Hot Springs." The book signing and presentation will take place at 4 p.m. July 15 at Warner Springs Ranch. The public is welcome. For information, call Jeff Brown at (760) 782-4297.

Our readers want to hear what your group is doing. Send your club or organization's upcoming events or happenings (up to 100 words) by the 18th of each

month to:

Jennifer Jenkin

Phone: (760) 788-8148

Fax: (760) 788-8413

E-mail: media.rhj@pacbell.net