Ramona, CA

www.RamonaEvents.com Section Project Heartbeat Dawn Perfect, center, holds the Silver Beaver Award, which was presented to her at the annual meeting of the San Diego-Imperial Boy Scout Council. The award is the highest a council can give, and was in recognition of Dawn's many years of dedicated leadership with Ramona Boy Scouts. With Dawn is her family, from left, sons Tanner, a Life Scout; Tyler, an Eagle Scout; husband Scott; daughter Torianna, a Girl Scout; and son Tommy, a Life Scout. Photo by Charles Teichert Jr.   SUPPORT GROUPS Ramona Fire Recovery Center The Ramona Fire Recovery Center will soon be open at 1710 Montecito Rd. Weekly insurance meetings and resource and support meetings are in the works. For schedule and more information, call 760-788-1013 or log on to www.RamonaOutreach.org. 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.alanonsandiego.org. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego held their Annual Leadership Conference on Jan. 25 and 26, at Camp Cedar Glen in Julian. Ramona members who attended are, from left, Kevin Carmona, Cesar Marinez, Michael Aguilar, McKenna Smith, Tori Kangas, and in front is Jenna Baker. Photo by Michelle Goutier Alzheimer's Support Group Alzheimer's Support Group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Ln. Call 760-787-0172 for more information. Fibromyalgia Hope and Recovery Group San Diego Hope and Recovery Group for those who are dealing with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and Lyme disease meets the first Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 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. Partner Support Group meets at the same time and location. For more information, call Janis (RN) at 619-216-9661, or e-mail her at hope4recovery@cox.net. Hospice Proud parents Jeff and Karen Wallace Dean announce the birth of Susanna Fern Dean, shown in the arms of her five-year-old brother Seth. In addition to Seth, she joins siblings Rachel, Ted, Sarah, Elizabeth and Lydia. Photo Courtesy of the Dean Family Elizabeth Hospice offers 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 Ln. 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 from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road, Poway. For information, call 858-748-2594. TOPS Club Take Off Pounds Sensibly club meets at Warner Springs Community Resource Center, 30951 Highway 79. Weigh-in is at 9 a.m. and the meeting is at 9:30 every Thursday except holidays. Come for free information, literature, gifts, prizes and speakers. Free childcare is available. For information, call Janet at 760-782-9026 or Warner Springs Community Resource Center at 760-782-0670. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group A Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets in Ramona. For more information, call Van Reeder at 760-789-9129. CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS Boys & Girls Club Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego-Ramona Branch offers sports, social and educational activities for Ramona youth. For more information, contact Lori Woosley at 760-789-8203, 760-788-7564, or visit www.sdyouth.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 Rd. The guild's March 19 meeting will feature Cathy Carey, demonstrating composition and color through diagrams and drawings. The guild is open to artists and those interested in art, and meets the third Wednesday of each month. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Regina Wilson at 760-787-0929. Ramona Christian Writers Critique Group Ramona Christian Writers Critique Group will meet just the third Wednesday of the month in March, rather than the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Meetings are held 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. Ramona Women's Connection "Replanting Our Earth" is the theme of the March 19 luncheon meeting of the Ramona Women's Connection. Cathy Kuiper of Julian will teach about fire-safe tree planting. Speaker Karen Sawyers shares hope for women in her inspirational story, "Picture This." The program 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. For reservations, call 760-788-1378 or 760-788-1348. Complimentary childcare is also available by reservation. Ramona Writers Group Ramona Writers Group welcomes writers of all ages and stages of life to the group's meetings every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Ln. 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. Ramona Forum Ramona Forum meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. Forum movie nights and open discussions are held monthly at Sizzler. For information, contact Dave Patterson at 760-207-9139. Ramona Garden Club Ramona Garden Club meets at noon on the second Wednesday of each month at the Ramona Woman's Club, 524 Main St. Is something "bugging" you? On Wednesday, March 12, speaker Scott Parker will come from University of California Integrated Pest Management to talk about a scientifically based approach for pest management. Meetings are open to the public and include refreshments, door prizes, plant swapping and an opportunity drawing. For more information, call 760-789-8880 or visit www.RamonaGardenClub. com. Ramona Woman's Club Ramona Woman's Club special guest for the March 6 meeting at 1 p.m. will be Darrel McKenzie on the topic of "Diamonds Are Forever." Beautiful gemstone and mineral specimens will be on display. The Literary section will meet at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 10. The book selection will be "Three Cups of Tea." The Bridge Club Card Party and Luncheon will take place at noon on March 13. The Thimble Club section meets at 10 a.m. on March 20. The Ladybugs garden group will meet at 10 a.m. on March 27 for a field trip to Buena Creek Gardens in San Marcos. The Clubhouse is located at 524 Main Street. For information, contact president Jill McKenzie at 760-789-3596. Ramona Valley Vineyard Association Ramona Valley Vineyard Association meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at members' homes/vineyards. The group discusses topics such as viticultural and other matters of interest to the vineyard and winemaking community. 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. San Vicente Valley Club San Vicente Valley Club's March 26 meeting will feature Josh Myers speaking about anxiety coaching. SVVC meets the last Wednesday of the month at the San Vicente Inn, 24157 San Vicente Rd. Social time is at 11 a.m., lunch is at noon and the presentation is at 1 p.m. Luncheon cost is $11. Spaces are limited, so reservations must be made in person at the San Vicente Inn front desk by the Friday before the meeting. Those interested in membership should contact Kaaren Thiem at 760-788-4840, or visit www.sanvicentevalleyclub.com. Valley of the Sun Toastmasters Valley of the Sun chapter of Toastmasters International meets at 7 p.m. the first three Mondays of the month at Ramona Library, 1406 Montecito Rd. Toastmasters' goal is to help members develop better speaking and presentation skills, learn to think quickly and clearly and build strong leadership abilities. For information, call Gina at 760-788-4315 or log on to http://valleyofthesun.freetoasthost.ws. Intermountain Republican Women Federated San Diego County Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric will tell his "American Dream" story at the Monday, March 24 general meeting of Intermountain Republican Women Federated. The group will meet at 10:45 a.m. at Sizzler, 344 Main Street. Salad bar lunch is available for $10. The public is invited. For more information, call Rachel Meyer at 760-788-8902. SERVICE CLUBS Kiwanis Kiwanis of Ramona meets at 7 a.m. Saturdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. Prospective members are invited to the weekly breakfast meetings. The club provides funding for Scouts, Rady Children's Hospital, Ramona Senior Center, Boys and Girls Club, and offers scholarships. For information, call president Pete Casalegno at 760-788-4764. Ramona Rotary Club Ramona Rotary Club meets at noon Tuesdays at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For more information on Rotary Club meetings or Rotary's PolioPlus worldwide polio eradication program, call president Bob Vaughn at 760-789-6858 or 619-889-2901. Soroptimist International Soroptimist International of Ramona is a worldwide service organization for women in management and professions. The women-only service organization meets at 6 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held at Ramona Sizzler, 344 Main St. For more information about Soroptimist International programs and membership, call membership chairperson Cindy Price at 760-788-6944. BUSINESS NETWORKING Business & Breakfast Business & Breakfast, a business and professional networking organization, offers members an opportunity to share ideas, contacts and referrals. The Ramona chapter meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7 a.m. at Denny's, 1946 Main St. Call membership committee member Karen Richwine at 619-820-8860 for more information. 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. EVENTS Bargain Sale at Senior Center Bargain Center Rummage Sale takes place on the second Thursday and Friday of the month, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ramona Senior Center, 434 Aqua Ln. Chamber of Commerce March Mixer Ramona Chamber of Commerce March Mixer will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 20, at Ramona Sentinel, 425-A 10th Street. For information, call the Chamber at 760-789-1311. FREE Red Cross CPR Training, San Diego The 17th annual American Red Cross CPR Saturday is set for Saturday, March 15. Join hundreds of instructors and volunteers who will teach CPR to thousands of San Diegans. The free, three-hour CPR training is being offered to the public by the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, and will be held downtown in Golden Hall at the San Diego Concourse, 202 C St. Classes begin every hour from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. All participants who successfully complete the course will receive certification at no cost. Children ages 5 to 11 are invited to a fun, educational adventure in Basic Aid Training and Whales Tales water safety while parents get trained. For more information about attending, sponsoring, or volunteering at this event, visit www.sdarc.org or call 858-309-1275. www.RamonaEvents.com Post your club and event information on the community calendar at www.RamonaEvents.com. It's free and easy! And be sure to check often so you don't miss what's happening in Ramona!   Cari Slater, left, and her sister Angi Schirer are raising funds in hopes of donating Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to schools and sports programs throughout Ramona. These life saving devices recognize a person's irregular heart rhythm and identify when a computerized shock is required. Inspired by their father, John L. Cartwright, who passed away from cardiac arrest while hiking locally on his sixty-first birthday, Feb. 8, 2007, their goal is to raise money by selling Cookie Lee Jewelry. Ramona Unified School District and various community organizations support their cause, inviting them to sell products at venues all over town. Ramona residents can show support by purchasing the jewelry or making a cash donation. For more information, please call Cari Slater at 619-417-1272 or visit www.cookielee.biz/carislater. Rotary Students of the month for February. From left, Rotary member Amber Ramirez, Sam Burba from Sun Valley Charter High School; teacher Christina Hill and Elsie Delgadillo from Montecito High School; teacher Charles Buelle and Alexander Muren from Ramona High School; and teacher Debbie Ray and Dustin Van Tol from Mountain Valley Academy. Kelly Locke and Heather Kiffe spoke to Ramona Rotary about Wildfire Recovery Project, a mental health service run by the county through FEMA. From left are Locke, Ramona Rotary President Bob Vaughn, Kiffe and Community Service Director Thad Clendenen. Kiwanis Club President Pete Casalegno, center, welcomed new members and Ramona residents Mike Harrison, left, and Rick Terrazas, both of whom serve on the staff of Congressman Duncan Hunter. Harrison is Hunter's Senior Legislative Assistant and Terrazas is the District Director. Kiwanis Club of Ramona honored Hanson Elementary School six-grader Micah Dahlke as February Student of the Month. Pictured with Micah are, from left, Principal Carol Tennebaum, Micah's mother Chris Dahlke, teacher Gina Gonzalez, and Micah's father Jon Dahlke.