Clubs & Organizations Section
By Jennifer Jenkin

Happy New Year! Ramona's clubs and organizations offer a variety of happenings as we begin the year 2007. Read on and take advantage of the many opportunities available.

SUPPORT GROUPS

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.

Alzheimer's Support Group

The Alzheimer's support group meets the third Wed. of each month at 10 a.m. at the Ramona Senior Center. Call 760-787-0172 for more information.

Cancer Support Group

The Ramona Cancer support group meets the first Wed. of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Library Community Room. Call 760-789-0602 for more information.

Fibromyalgia

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.

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.

CLUBS

Art Guild

The Ramona Art Guild will meet Wednesday, January 17, with Tom Tiedeman as the featured artist. Tom will be demonstrating his water color techniques on Yupo paper, with animals as his subject matter.

Tom received his B.A. from Purdue University in Visual Design, and has studied under Herr Herzfeld at the Herzfeld School of Art in Wiesbaden, Germany. He currently studies with noted watercolorist, Joe Garcia. An established artist in the San Diego community, Tom is an active member of the San Diego Museum of Art, Artists Guild, and the La Jolla Art Association. His watercolors are heavily influenced by the powerful dark colors and contrasts of the Old Masters, and his favorite, the 17th Century Flemish painters.

He is a wonderful teacher and offers classes in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, and at Palomar College - Escondido. More information is available on his website at www.arttom.com.

The Art Guild meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Ramona Library Community Room at 1406 Montecito Road. The guild is open to artists and those interested in art. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Isabel McCauley at 760-789-0494.

The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery

The New Year opens with a busy month at The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery. Members of The Gallery will present a new exhibit, "The Sky's The Limit." Used art supplies, frames, paints, and more will be sold. All items are in good condition. In The Discovery Room, Kathi and David Vargo will present their unique gourd and Indian art, Judy Sonderby of Julian exhibits her widely known paintings, and Jerry Meloche of Ramona Art Show fame displays his outstanding talent. On Jan. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. thru noon, Anna Burkhart instructs another Textural and Experimental Techniques Workshop. A reception for Guest Artists and the public will be held on Jan. 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. For further information visit The Olde Ramona Hotel Gallery, 845 Main Street, Ramona, or call 760-789-3682.

Ramona Woman's Club

The next general meeting will be held at the clubhouse at 524 Main St., on Thurs., Jan. 4 at

1 p.m. Speaker Shirlee Muffly, Past President of S.D. Cosmetology and Past Vice President of CA Cosmetology, has been a platform artist for several hair and cosmetic shows. Muffly will share various styling options and provide tips on facial and hair care. Hostesses will be Meredith Hamlin and June Edwards. The Literary members will meet on Mon., Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. Tita Braley will review Mitch Alboma's latest novel, One More Day. Hostess will be LaBelle Haeger. On Thurs., Jan. 11 at noon, at the clubhouse, the Noon Luncheon, Card Party & Thimble Club will meet for bridge etc. Hostesses will be Linda Knowles and Karen Theim. Call Dorothy Berry for luncheon reservations at 760-788-2073. The Lady Bugs will visit Kniffing's Nursery in El Cajon. The group will meet at the Clubhouse parking lot at 10 a.m. and will stop for lunch on the way home. Please call Ethel Kiss for reservations at 760-789-4908.

Ramona Garden Club

The Ramona Garden Club has a new meeting location. The group will meet at the Ramona Women's Club at 524 Main Street. On Jan. 10, the group will welcome Phil Ash, consulting Rosarian and Horticulture Judge with the American Rose Society and a member of the San Diego Rose Society. Ash grows over 150 roses on his small city lot in San Diego and will provide tips on jump-starting the rose technique. He will also discuss basic care and pruning techniques and chemical safety. The Ramona Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Women's Club. Meetings are open to the public and include refreshments and an opportunity drawing. For further information call 760-789-8880 or visit www.RamonaGarden Club.com.

San Vicente Valley Club

The San Vicente Valley Club will hold their luncheon on Jan. 31 at the San Vicente Inn. Pianist Bruno Leone will perform segments of his "Pure Broadway" ensemble. Leone's specialty is Broadway musicals. His concerts combine piano performances with stories related to the lives, times and music of America's most popular composers. Social time begins at 11 a.m. Guests are welcome. Reservations should be made at the front desk of the San Vicente Inn by Jan. 26. Cost is $11. For membership information call Joan Renaud at 760-788-6960.

Ramona Pioneer Historical Society

The Ramona Pioneer Historical Society's will present its annual quilt show, "Quilts and Things." The show will be held Jan. 18 through 21 and Jan. 25 through 28 from 1-4 p.m.

Tickets are $5 and also good for admission to the Guy B. Woodward Museum and grounds. Members admitted free. On display will be vintage and heritage handmade needlecrafts including quilts, embroidery, crochet, knit, and crewel. Avid quilters, Buck and Alice Polk from Poway, will attend the show. Enne Hampe will display her needlework. Quilters are invited to display their creations. Call Judy Nachazel, 760-789-7131 for more information.

Wildlife Research Institute

This year's annual Hawkwatch will take place every Saturday in January and February from 9 a.m. to noon at 18030 Highland Valley Road. Join us as we observe wintering and resident hawks, owls, and eagles. You will learn the identification and life histories of birds of prey from a Wildlife Research Institute biologist. Up to thirteen different species of raptors can be seen. Hawkwatch is free to the public and rewarding for all ages. Bring your binoculars and scopes. Only heavy rain cancels. For more information call 760-789-3992.

SERVICE CLUBS

Kiwanis

Kiwanis of Ramona meets at 7 a.m. Saturdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For information, call president Ed Bacorn at 760-789-6391.

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.

Soroptimist

Soroptimist International of Ramona is a worldwide service organization for women in management and professions. The women only service organization meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. Meetings are held at the home of Kathy Brumfield on the 2nd Tuesday at 8 a.m. The 4th Tuesday meetings are held at 7 p.m. in the conference room at San Vicente Inn, Ramona. For more information or if you would like to become a member, call membership chairperson Cindy Price at 760-788-6944.

EQUESTRIAN ORGANIZATIONS

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. Feb. 7 at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. For information, visit www.ramonatrails.org or call John Degenfelder at 760-789-1716.

San Vicente Saddle Club

For 20 years, a group of equestrians in the San Diego Country Estates have met to socialize, talk about horses, compete in equestrian events and take part in activities designed to continue the equestrian sport. Each year, the San Vicente Saddle Club presents events that range from organized monthly rides and fun shows, to out-of-the-saddle events. The club's goals are to fellowship with other riders (and non-riders alike), to foster safe equestrian activities, to offer opportunities to meet new riders as well as demonstrate equestrian skills. Meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Rotunda at the International Equestrian Center in the San Diego Country Estates, 16911 Gunn Stage Road. For more information, visit www.sanvicentesaddleclub. com, or call Lily at 760-788-7533, or Kat at 760-788-2566.

Ramona Equine Industry Network (REIN) Survey

The Ramona Equine Industry Network (REIN) distributed a survey in December to ask local horse owners about themselves and their horses.

It is designed to help determine the needs, interests and economic impact of local equine owners (horses, ponies, mules and donkeys); and to collect information from all owners to provide a summary of responses that reflects all the different horse disciplines and activities.

REIN is requesting one survey from each household that owns an equine, which is available to print or complete online at www.rein ramona.com or is available at local feed stores. Responses are anonymous. Individual responses only will be used to produce group summaries of the responses. Please return by Jan.15. For more information, call the REIN president, Teri Merry at 760-533-6853.

BUSINESS NETWORKING

Business Network International (BNI)

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 7 a.m. Tuesdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. Call membership committee member Karen Richwine at 619- 820-8860, for more information.

Chamber of Commerce

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Installation and Awards Banquet on Jan. 13 at Barona Casino and Resort in the Oak Tree Ballroom. For information call 760-789-1311 or visit www.ramonachamber.com.

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.

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter

Team Women Ramona/ Intermountain Chapter networking group meets from noon to 1 p.m. every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 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. For more information contact chapter president Russ Ann Zazas at 760-788-5571.