Clubs & Organizations

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

Al-Anon

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.

Cancer Society Support

The American Cancer Society provides a variety of services that can help improve the quality of life for cancer patients. All of the group's 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 specialists at any time at 800-ACS-2345. For more information, visit www.cancer.org.

Cancer Society Volunteer

Become an American Cancer Society Youth Program volunteer. Adult volunteers with an interest in student health are invited to participate in a variety of programs including youth groups and school health fairs. The ACS is dedicated to educate youth about health advocacy as well as to improve community and school policies to promote the health of students. For more information, call 619-682-7434 or e-mail nicole.mcmurray@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 at 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.

Golf Tournament

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. There will be many levels of participation from event sponsor for $5,000, premier sponsor for $2,500, corporate sponsor for $1,350, tee sponsor with golf for $400, tee sponsor without golf for $250 and golfer for $200. 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 here annually. For more information, contact Lori Woosley at 760-789-8203 or by e-mail at lwoosley@sdyouth.org.

Business Networking

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.

Hospice

Elizabeth Hospice is facilitating a free education and support group for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. This group meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays at Ramona Medical Group, 1516 Main St., Suite 104. 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.

Julian Grape Stomp

The Kiwanis Club of Ramona will be manning its famous food booth at the 10th annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa, set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Menghini Winery Sept. 2. The booth will feature hamburgers, jumbo dogs with or without chili, nachos, beans and water and sodas. The Kiwanians are looking forward to many Ramona residents attending this event in Julian.

The annual Ramona Kiwanis Club Presidents Installation Dinner will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Ramona Sizzler. The following officers and directors will be installed for the 2006-2007 year. President Eddie Bacorn, immediate past President Bob Hailey, secretary Mary Halliday, treasurer Ellen Deuel, and directors Charles Teichert Jr., Tom Taylor, Patrick Bell, Carol Bazinet, Jeff Funk, Dotty Cronin and Beverly Ragsdale. 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.

LeTip

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. The group's 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.

Natural ChildbirthSupport Group

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

Chamber Mixer

Ramona Chamber of Commerce's September networking mixer will be held at the Ramona Sentinel, 425-A 10th St. The mixer will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 21. Entry 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.

Oktoberfest

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will host a two-day Oktoberfest this year, sponsored by Ramona Disposal. The Oktoberfest will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 30 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the lot on Main Street between D'Carlos and Ramona National Bank. Join us for an old-fashioned beer garden, wine tasting, antiques and appraisal booth, local art, crafters, starz carz on display, pumpkin patch, live entertainment and a variety of children's activities. For information, call the chamber at 760-789-1311 or visit www.ramonachamber.com.

Concert Season Opens

The Ramona Concert season opens Oct. 7 with pianist Lincoln Mayorga and "4 Preps" lead singer Bruce Belland. The concert will feature music from the "Fifties to the Philharmonic." All concerts in the series will be held at the Charles Nunn Performing Arts Center. Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Season memberships are available: adults, $28; family, $58; and students, $10. Single performance tickets are also available for $15. For more information, call 760-789-7474 or 760-789-6463.

Ramona Garden Club

The Ramona Garden Club will meet at noon on Sept. 13 at the Ramona library community room, 1406 Montecito Road. The topic will be on pelargoniums, otherwise known as 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

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

Ramona Trails Association

Ramona Trails Association is actively involved in the trail planning of the community. RTA is a non-profit service group staffed by volunteers and financed by membership dues, fundraising events and donations. The group's mission is to retain access to and maintain existing non-motorized, multi-use trails as well as actively encouraging new trail development on both public and private lands. RTA general meetings are open to the public and are held the first Wednesdays of each month. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. Sept 6 at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. For information, visit www.ramonatrails.org or call John Degenfelder at 760-789-1716.

Vineyard Association

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 Sept. 26. New members and visitors are welcome. For more information and meeting location, e-mail RVVA organizer Bill Schweitzer at bill@paccielo.com.

Water Conservation Landscape Workshops

The Ramona Municipal Water District is offering free Water Conservation Landscape workshops to its customers. Classes are limited to 30 participants and begin in October from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All classes will be held at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. For more information, class dates, or to reserve your space, call Patty Bevers at 760-789-1330.

Ramona Woman's Club

The Ramona Woman's Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Sept. 14 at the clubhouse, 524 Main St. The executive board will host a light brunch for all past and current members, their guests and anyone else who might be interested in learning about our various activities. Snacks and coffee will be provided. For information and reservations, call Ethel Kiss at 760-788-4908. For all other questions about the club and its activities, call Linda Knowles at 760-789-4762.

Ramona Women's Connection

Ramona Women's Connection will celebrate its 30th anniversary at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 20. This group is an affiliate of Stonecroft Ministries, an international organization dedicated to the purpose of helping women connect with God, their community and each other. There are 2,000 "Women's Connection" groups throughout the world that meet each month. One of the women that helped get this group started in 1976 was Margaret Burgreen from San Diego. Burgreen will be speaking on "Gifts for the Heart can change a 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

San Vicente Valley Club will hold a kick-off luncheon Sept. 27 at the San Vicente Inn. Author Bruno Leone will address the issues of cloning and stem cell research. Social time begins at 11 a.m. Guests are welcome. Reservations should be made at the front desk of the San Vicente Inn by Sept. 22. The SVVC is a social, non-profit organization. For membership information, call Joan Renaud at 760-788-6960.

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter networking group meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. every other Monday at the 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 Russ Ann Zazas at 760-788-5571.

Intermountain Republican Women

The Intermountain Republican Women will be hosting a BBQ Beef Tri-Tip dinner honoring our fallen American soldiers on Patriots Day at Schwaesdall Winery on Sept. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Addressing the group will be Mark Price, speaker, author and award winning radio commentator. Price will present challenging, entertaining, and motivating ideas for Intermountain Republican Women members and guests at the annual September Barbeque. Assuming personal responsibility is the theme of Mr. Price's recent book titled, If Not You, Then Who?" A silent auction featuring noteworthy items will be conducted to benefit Intermountain members who will be participating in the 2007 Biennial National Republican Women Federation's Convention. For dinner reservations, $15 donation, call 760-787-9668, 760-741-1338 or 760-765-0412. The public is invited to hear this inspirational speaker and meet your candidates or elected officials. For information, call Eileen Castberg at 760-789-5803.

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