Clubs & Organizations

Ramona's club's and organizations offer a variety of happenings during the summer. Read on and take advantage of the many opportunities available.

Al-Anon Family Group

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

American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society provides a variety of services that can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients. All of the ACS programs are free and are offered at various locations throughout the county. Anyone who has questions about cancer or is facing a cancer diagnosis can call trained ACS specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800- ACS-2345. The Cancer Survivors Network and other information are available on the Web site at www.cancer.org.

Ramona Art Guild

Ramona Art Guild meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Ramona Library Community Room, 1406 Montecito Road. The guild is open to artists and those interested in art. Dues are $15 annually.

Refreshments are served. For information, call Judy Nachazel at 760-789-7131.

Boys & Girls Clubs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego - Ramona Branch will be hosting its 16th annual golf tournament at San Vicente Inn and Golf Club on Sept. 14. A day of golf will include lunch, tee bag with towel and golf shirt, putting contest, marshmallow drive, closest to pin, hole in one, dinner, raffle, auction and awards and much more. Sponsorships range from $200 to $5,000. This is the only fundraiser in the Ramona area for the Boys & Girls Club. All proceeds benefit the Ramona clubhouse and the 1,900 youth served annually. For more information, contact Lori Woosley at 760-789-8203 or by E-mail at lwoosley@sdyouth.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego - Ramona Branch has 2006 camper applications for the Salvation Army Camp Sierra del Mar, 14488 Mussey Grade Road in Ramona. Available weeks to choose from are: Teen Sports Camp Aug. 2 to 5 for ages 11-17; Community Service #4 Camp Aug. 14-19 for ages 7-12. Sierra del Mar Community Service camp offers a variety of camp experiences, including mountain biking, archery, crafts, swimming and hiking and more. The cost for camp is $200 per week per child and covers lodging, food and all activities. If you are interested and not able to pay the $200, scholarships are available. Please contact Lori Woosley at 760-789-8203 or at lwoosley@sdyouth.org for more information.

Business Network International

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 Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. Call membership committee member Tim Lawless at 760-440-9590, for more information.

Elizabeth Hospice

Elizabeth Hospice is facilitating a free education and support group for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at Ramona Medical Group building, 1516 Main St., Suite 104. For more information, call AnnMarie Whitehead at 760-737-2050.

Fibromyalgia Support Group

Fibromyalgia Support Group of Ramona provides an opportunity of information sharing, encouragement and fellowship. For meeting location and time, contact Nancy Harding at 760-789-1635.

Kiwanis of Ramona

Kiwanis of Ramona meets at 7 a.m. Saturdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For information, call President Bob Hailey at 760-789-4624.

Kiwanis will be busy this month attending Interclub luncheons, conventions and helping the Ramona Branch Library with their monthly book sale. An afternoon social and cookout will be held at Jeff and Alice Funk's home in Ramona on Aug. 26. The social is open to all Kiwanian's and prospective members of the community. If you are interested in meeting current members and learning about Ramona Kiwanis Community Service, contact Jeff Funk at 760-789-5056.

La Petite Musique

La Petite Musique is an early childhood music and movement development program for infants through 5 year olds. The 10-week program features a series of eight, nonsequential classes. Families are encouraged to attend class together so children in the same family can learn music and movement activities to enjoy at home. A typical class will involve 12 children and their parents or caregivers who meet weekly for 45 minutes to experience sing-a-long songs, rhythmic rhymes, movement and Bible songs. Classes are held at the Recreation Center in San Diego Country Estates, 25386 Pappas Road, Ramona. Registration for the next session is now under way with weekly classes beginning Sept. 5. For information, call 760-787-9127 or visit www.lapetitiemusique.com.

LeTip of Ramona

LeTip of Ramona is a professional networking organization of women and men dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service. Its primary purpose is to give and receive qualified business tips or leads. Each business category is represented by one member. LeTip of Ramona's breakfast meetings are from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For individuals and businesses interested in becoming members, call Scott Brown at 760-789-7079 or visit www.letipoframona.com.

North County Inland Alliance

The North County Inland Alliance on Mental Illness will sponsor the NAMI Family to Family Education Program in Ramona. The Program is a free, 12-week series for families of those diagnosed with mental illness. Classes in Ramona will begin at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 537 E St., Ramona. For more information or to register, call Clytie Koehler at 760-788-9148 or Janine Moniot at 760-484-0820.

Natural Childbirth Support Group

The Natural Childbirth Support Group will meet at

7 p.m. Sept. 20 at 809 Pine Heights, Ramona. Guest speakers Geri Ryan and Darynee Blount will present the topic "Water Birth." For information, call Karen Wallace at 760-787-0302.

Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery

The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery will feature its newest member, Susie Burress, Artist of The Month, during August. The exhibit, Blossoms and More, is an eclectic tribute to Burress. Come listen to her story and enjoy a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 at The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery, 845 Main St., Ramona. For information, call 760-789-3682.

Ramona Chamber of Commerce

Ramona Chamber of Commerce's August networking mixer will be sponsored by home-based businesses and hosted by Eagles Nest Vineyard at 18261 Chablis Road., Ramona. The mixer will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 17. Tickets are $5 and include business networking opportunities, drawings and more. For information, contact mixer chairperson Kathy Smiley at 760-788-9384 or visit www.ramonachamber.com.

Ramona Country Fair

The 36th annual Ramona Country Fair will take place Aug. 3-6 at the Ramona Community Fairgrounds. The Country Fair has something for everyone: arts and crafts, merchandise, plenty of food, live entertainment, kid's activities, Junior Fair and carnival rides by Christensen Amusements. Vendors will offer a broad variety of hand crafted and unique trinkets, jewelry, ornamental items, wood carvings, leather goods, clothing, hats, and toys just to mention a few. Bring your appetite and enjoy the variety of specialty food delights such as funnel cakes, blossom onions, Indian fry bread, barbecue, Mexican food, kettle corn, hot dogs and hamburgers. Live entertainment will include local dance talent along with music ranging from country and western to ballads and blues. For information, call the chamber at 760-789-1311 or visit www.ramonafair.com.

Oktoberfest

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present Oktoberfest from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 30 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 in the lot on Main Street between D'Carlos and Ramona National Bank. There will be an old-fashioned beer garden, wine tasting, antiques and appraisal booth, local art, crafters, pumpkin patch, live entertainment and a variety of children's activities.

Ramona Garden Club

The Ramona Garden Club will meet at noon on Sept. 13 (no August meeting) at the Ramona library community room, 1406 Montecito Road. The topic will be on geraniums. The guest speaker will be Point Loma geranium breeder and former Geranium Society President, Jim Zemcik. The public is welcome to come and enjoy refreshments and opportunity drawings. The Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Marci at 760-789-8880 or visit www.RamonaGardenClub.com.

Ramona Rotary Club

Ramona Rotary Club meets at noon Tuesdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For information, call President Micki Mennet-Martin at 760-789-0802 or 760- 420-0802.

Ramona Trails Association

Ramona Trails Association is hosting a summer barbecue at 6 p.m., Aug. 2. The public is welcome to attend. The guest speaker is Sue Wade, archeologist for the California State Parks. She will present the history of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. Please bring a meat to grill, along with your beverage of choice, and a side dish to share. For information, visit www.ramonatrails.org or call John Degenfelder at 760-789-1716.

Ramona Trails Association invites equestrians, mountain bikers and/or hikers to the Equestrian Group Camp, Los Vaqueros, during Labor Day weekend at Cuyamaca State Park. RTA has booked the group camp from Aug. 31 to Sept. 5. For information, visit www.ramonatrails.org or call Teri Kerns at 619-925-5008.

Ramona Valley Vineyard

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association is a "grape-roots" organization that meets the fourth Tuesday 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. onAug. 22. New members and visitors are welcome. For information and meeting location, E-mail RVVA organizer Bill Schweitzer at bill@paccielo.com.

Ramona Women's Connection

Ramona Women's Connection will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 16 for an "All about Designs" program. ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) member Jeanne Wheaton of Rancho Santa Fe will be explaining how our personalities affect our choice of decorating colors. From a very troubled past to a successful present, Wheaton will share her story of "How to lead a Re-designed Life." The meeting is a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. Tickets are $8.50. For reservations or information, call Francine at 760-788-1378 or Carol at 760-788-1348 or E-mail ramonawomensconnection@

yahoo.com. Free childcare is available by reservation.

San Vicente Valley Club

The next San Vicente Valley Club luncheon will be in September. All residents from Ramona and the surrounding areas are welcome to join this non-profit organization. For additional information, contact Joan Renaud, membership chairperson at 760-788-6960.

Team Women Ramona/Intermountain

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter networking group meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays at Ramona 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 President Vicki Molick at

760-787-1686.

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