Clubs & Organizations Section

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 Wed. of each month at 10 a.m. at the Ramona Senior Center. Call 760-787-0172 for more information.

San Diego FMS Hope

& Recovery Group

San Diego FMS Hope & Recovery Group meets the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108. Please verify the room location prior to each meeting. Education, guest speakers, support. For more information, call Janis (RN) at 619-216-9661.

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.

Ramona/Julian Health Care Advisory Council

The R/JHCAC is one of five regional community councils working together with Palomar Pomerado Health to identify and address the health care needs of our local community through mutual support and partnership. Participation is opened to agency and community representatives, and concerned citizens at the local and regional level. Meetings are held the first Friday in the months of September and December in the Ramona Community Center at 434 Aqua Lane at 8:30 a.m. Contact Nancy Roy at 760-789-1195 for more information.

The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to help cancer patients through their treatments. Volunteers are needed in many areas, including drivers to help get patients to and from treatments, cancer survivors who help give one-on-one support, cosmetologists or estheticians to help others deal with side effects during treatments and callers to check-up on cancer patients. For more information on helping in any of these areas, call Kay Clark at 619-682-7415 or email kay.clark@cancer.org.

CLUBS

Ramona Christian Writers Critique Group

Ramona Christian Writers Critique Group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at 23647 Atex Ct, Ramona. Both fiction and non-fiction writers are welcome. Contact Peter Zindler at pete.zindler@navy.mil or Sharon Cargo at 760-789-2393 for more information.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church - Spanish children's choir

The children of Ramona's Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church will hold a Spanish children's choir. The children will add color and sound to Quince celebrations and religious-cultural celebrations in Ramona. The choir program is available for children up to 18 years old. Those interested in learning more about the Spanish Children's Choir may contact Immaculate Heart of Mary at 760-789-0583.

Ramona Women's Connection

The Sept. 19 meeting of the Ramona Women's Connection begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Ramona Sizzler at 4th and Main. The cost of the program and salad-bar luncheon is $8.50 inclusive. For reservations, call Edith at 760-788-1378 or Carol at 760-788-1348. Complimentary child-care is also available by reservation.

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association is a "grape-roots" organization that meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. 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. New members and visitors are welcome. For more information and meeting location, e-mail RVVA organizer Bill Schweitzer at bill@paccielo.com.

Ramona Garden Club

The Ramona Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Women's Club at 524 Main Street. Meetings are open to the public and include refreshments, door prizes, plant swapping and an opportunity drawing. For further information call 760-789-8880 or visit www.RamonaGardenClub.com.

San Vicente Valley Club

The San Vicente Valley Club will resume monthly luncheons the last Wednesday in September. Those interested in membership should contact Kaaren Thiem at 760-788-4840.

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 Bob Vaughn at 760-789-6858 or 619-889-2901.

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 to become a member, call membership chairperson Cindy Price at 760-788-6944.

Ramona Backcountry Quilters Show

The Ramona Backcountry Quilters will present their 8th Annual Quilt Show at the Mountain View Community Church Oct. 19-20. Admission to the event, held near the corner of Highway 78 and Ash Street, is free. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. There will be food, prizes, vendors, demonstrations and an opportunity drawing for a queen-size quilt. For information, call Dot Koerner at 760-789-7382.

Equestrian Events & Organization

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 to actively encourage 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 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.

SCHOOLS

OASIS and the Ramona Unified School District

OASIS and the Ramona Unified School District are recruiting mature adults to volunteer as mentor/tutors. Children in kindergarten through third grade will work with a tutor for one hour each week during school time. The one-to-one program strengthens reading and language skills, builds self-esteem and enthusiasm for learning. Volunteers can choose a school close to their home, and the day and time they can participate. No teaching experience is needed. Tutor training will be held Tuesday, September 25 and October 2 at the Ramona School District Office. For details, contact Linda Ball at RUSD, 760-787-2062 or Carolyn Collins at OASIS, 760-432-0635.

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 networking mixer will be hosted by Southland Title and Escrow, located at 850 Main Street, Ramona. The mixer will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sep. 20. Entry tickets are $5 and include business networking opportunities, drawings and more. For information, contact mixer chairperson Jo Fox at 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.