Clubs & OrganizationS Section
By Jennifer Jenkin

Ramona's clubs and organizations offer a variety of information, activities and opportunities available to you.

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 Wednesday 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 Wednesday 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, call 858-755-1126.

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 Fridays at Ramona Senior Center, 434 Aqua Lane. Call the Elizabeth Hospice Bereavement Department at 760-737-2050 for more information.

CLUBS

Ramona Valley 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 April 24. New members and visitors are welcome. For more information and meeting location, e-mail RVVA organizer Bill Schweitzer at bill@paccielo.com.

Ramona Woman's Club

At 1 p.m. on April 9, the Literary Group will meet to discuss "Final Witness" by Simon Tolkien.

The Thimble Club has added Balboa Naval Hospital to its list of beneficiaries and a delivery of 14 blankets was made to the children and pregnant mothers. The group will be meeting at 10 a.m. on April 11 at the clubhouse. Call Marilyn Ferguson at 760-789-4348.

The annual Fashion Show and luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on April 12. Tickets have been sold out, but in case of cancellation, call Jill McKenzie, 760-789-3596 for reservations. Tickets will be $15. A special luncheon is being prepared with a Hawaiian theme for dress and for the menu. Bridge will follow the show.

Lady Bugs will meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot and proceed to the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas on April 26. There will be a stop for lunch on the way home. Call Ethel Kiss for reservations at 760-789-4908.

Ramona Garden Club

On April 14 the Ramona Garden Club welcomes Master Gardener Suzie Heap as she discusses growing and caring for bamboo. Heap is a long-time member of the Coronado Floral Association and San Diego Floral Association. The Ramona Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Women's Club at 524 Main St. 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.

Ramona Women's Connection

On April 18 the Ramona Women's Connection will feature the excitement of beading. Patty Strong, co-owner of "Mountain Beadwork" of Julian will showcase samples of what you can create with beads on jewelry or non-jewelry items. Vicki Sebastian from Pauma Valley will also be on the program sharing her story of "Circumstances - They Need Not Control You." Sebastian is a former TV variety show hostess and her life story has been published in national periodicals. The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Ramona Sizzler located at 4th and Main streets. The cost of the program and salad-bar luncheon is $8.50. For reservations, please call Edith at 760-788-1378 or Carol at 760-788-1348. Complimentary child care is also available by reservation. All women are welcome, bring a friend and meet a friend!

San Vicente Valley Club - Home and Garden Tour

Four residents will open their beautiful homes for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21. This nonprofit annual event is sponsored by the San Vicente Valley Club during its annual Home and Garden Tour and Event. Tickets are $10 per person. Tickets are available at the San Vicente Inn, Chamber of Commerce and SVVC. Call Kaaren Thiem, Home and Garden Tour treasurer 760-788-4840 for ticket information. Please page 3 for more information.

The San Vicente Valley Gardening Club

The San Vicente Valley Gardening Club is going to the Wilderness Garden County Preserve on April 4. A ranger, who is a master botanist, will address the issues of distressed landscape due to the record cold spell. The gardening club has arranged for transportation from the San Vicente Inn parking lot leaving at 8:30 a.m. A small fee will be collected to cover that cost. Call Ann Mundt at 760-789-9395 for arrangements and reservations.

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 will celebrate their 70th year at the April 24 meeting. All former Rotarians are welcome to the celebration.

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 second and fourth Tuesday. Meetings are held at the home of Kathy Brumfield on the Tuesday at 8 a.m. The fourth 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.

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 Mixer

Ramona Chamber of Commerce's April networking mixer will be hosted by Cheers Bar & Grill, 2475 Main St, Ramona. The mixer will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on April 19. Entry tickets are $5 and include business networking opportunities, drawings and more. For information, contact mixer chairperson Jo Fox at 760-803-8306 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.