Clubs, Organizations & Events Section
By Annette Williams

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

Al-Anon

Al-Anon Serenity Group meets at 8 a.m. Saturdays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at North Rural Recovery Center, 323 Hunter St. Visit www.alanon sandiego.org.

Alzheimer's Support Group

The Alzheimer's Support Group meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. Call 760-787-0172, for more information.

Fibromyalgia Hope and Recovery Group

The San Diego Hope and Recovery Group for those who are dealing with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and related disorders will hold a special Health Fair event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the First United Methodist Church of San Diego, Linder Hall Building, 2111 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108. Pre-registration is $5 per person or $8 per couple. Registration at the door is $8 per person or $12 per couple. For more information and to register, call 619-216-9661, or e-mail Hope4Recovery@cox.net.

Hospice

Elizabeth Hospice facilitates 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 every Friday at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. Call Elizabeth Hospice Bereavement Department at 760-737-2050, for more information.

Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions

Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions is a support group for parents of children ages 15 and older who have developmental disabilities. The group meets the third Thursday of the month at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway. Next meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18. For information, call 858-748-2594.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS

Ramona Art Guild

Neil Barton will be the featured artist when the Ramona Art Guild meets October 17. Barton will demonstrate his mixed media methods using drawings, pen and ink, photographs and computer art. Ramona Art Guild meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday 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 Regina Wilson at 760-787-0929.

Ramona Women's Connection

The Oct. 17 luncheon meeting of the Ramona Women's Connection begins at 11:30 a.m. at Ramona Sizzler, at Fourth and Main streets. 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 Christian Writers Critique Group

Ramona Christian Writers Critique Group meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 23647 Atex Court, 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.

Ramona Writers Group

Ramona Writers Group welcomes writers of all ages and stages of life to the group's meetings at 1 p.m. every Tuesday in the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane. Those who attend are invited to read a few pages of their work in progress, including short stories, novels, poems, non-fiction work and memoirs. Comments from the group will be given. For more information, call 760-789-1952.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church

Spanish Children's Choir

The children of Ramona's Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church are participating in 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 open to children up to 18 years of age. Those interested in learning more about the choir may contact Immaculate Heart of Mary at 760-789-0583.

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Ramona Valley Vineyard Association is a "grape-roots" organization that meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month at members' homes/vineyards. The group discusses topics such as viticultural 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 Woman's Club

Ramona Woman's Club special speaker for the Oct. 4 meeting will be Bill Griffith of Channel 10 News, speaking about living with breast cancer. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. The Literary Section meets at 1 p.m. on Oct. 8 to discuss "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. The Luncheon and Card Party will take place at noon on Oct. 11. The Thimble Section of the Ramona Woman's Club has been sewing blankets for abused children all summer long. The section meets at 10 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month. The Ladybugs Garden Section will meet at the clubhouse at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25 for a field trip to Green Thumb Nursery in San Marcos. The clubhouse is located at 524 Main St. For information, contact president Jill McKenzie at 760-789-3596.

Ramona Garden Club

Ramona Garden Club speaker for the Oct. 10 meeting will be Francie Spears, speaking on the subject of "Plant-loving bats, bat-loving plants." The group meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Woman's Club at 524 Main St. 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 holds monthly luncheons the last Wednesday of the month. Club members and guests will be entertained by Robert "Bob" Anderson at their October 24 luncheon. Anderson has been entertaining audiences in the San Diego area for more than 25 years. Reservations must be made by Friday, Oct. 19. Social time is at 11 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting, luncheon at noon and entertainment at 1 p.m. For information, call Kaaren Theim at 760-788-4840 or visit the Web site at www.sanvicentevalleyclub.com.

Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego-Ramona offers sports, social and educational activities for Ramona youth. For more information, contact Lori Woosley at 760-789-8203 or visit www.sdyouth.org.

Ramona Stars 4-H Enrollment

Ramona Stars 4-H enrollment meetings for the new season will be at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14. New projects to be offered include aeronautics, chess, public speaking, and there will also be horse, dog, swine, beef, sheep, goat, rabbit, poultry, crafts, sewing, cooking, child care classes and more. Ramona Stars 4-H is open to children ages 5 through 19. Meetings will be at Ramona Elementary School's multipurpose room off Eighth Street. For information, call 760-789-9006, or visit www.ramonastars4h.org.

Ramona Pioneer Historical Society

The Ramona Pioneer Historical Society will hold their potluck dinner meeting Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Barnett Barn at the Guy B. Woodward Museum, 645 Main Street, Ramona. Guest speaker will be Andy Smith with a program on "A History of American Automobiles." The public is invited. For information call the Museum at 760-789-7644.

Ramona Trails Association

The Ramona Trails Association will hold its annual Ride/ Hike/Bike Saturday, Oct. 27. The event will be held at the private Monte Vista Ranch in Ramona. The Spurs, Spokes and Sneakers event will also host a raffle, silent auction, cash pot and Santa Maria Style barbecue lunch. In addition, County Cellars will host a wine tasting. For information and to pre-register, visit the RTA Web site at www.ramona trails.org.

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 first and third Wednesday evenings. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. in the conference room at San Vicente Inn, Ramona.

The Soroptimist Community Bunko Night will be held Friday, Oct. 26 at Ramona Woman's Club, 524 Main St. The cost is $25.

Soroptimist has three award opportunities for local women, and the deadline for applications is Dec. 1. Girls between the ages of 14 and 17 who are community volunteers are eligible for the Violet Richardson Award (call Dee Martz at 760-518-2327); women who are head of their household and enrolled in or accepted to a vocational/skills training program or undergraduate degree program are eligible for the Woman's Opportunity Award (call Shelly Heimer at 619-743-8848); and women who make an extraordinary difference in the lives of other women are eligible for the Making a Difference for Women Award (contact Kathy Brumfield at 760-525-8602).

For more information about Soroptimist International, 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 October networking mixer will be hosted by Ramona Disposal at 324 Maple St. The mixer will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 18. 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 groups 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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

OASIS Tutoring

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. Volunteers may 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 Oct. 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.

EVENTS

First Congregational Church Harvest Fair

The Women's Fellowship of the First Congregational Church will host their annual Harvest Fair Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will feature homemade soups and pies, baked and canned goods, a gift basket raffle, car wash and petting zoo.

Crafters are needed; items must be compatible with the upcoming holidays and saleable in a church setting. Applications can be picked up at the church office at 404

8th Street, across from Ramona Elementary School. For information, call Susan at 760-789-1483.

Farmers Insurance Celebrates 40 Years

Farmers Insurance has been family owned and operated for 40 years this year. To celebrate, On Oct. 28, they will hold an Open House at the office parking lot at 603 Main Street. There will be cake, raffle prizes, safety brochures, emergency identification magnets and pins, and identification packets for children. Agents will be on hand to answer questions. The event is free and open to the public.