Musuem closes for month, plans 2009-10 season

Ramona’s Guy B. Woodward Museum will be closed in September for annual maintenance and repairs.
   The museum, operated by the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society, will
re-open Oct. 1, with normal hours from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through
Sunday and by appointment.
   The first potluck of the 2009-10 year will be held Oct. 20 at 6:30
p.m. in the historic Barnett Barn on the museum grounds, 645 Main St.

Women Go Raw Tour coming to town

On Sept. 1, Dr. Ariel Policano will pile into a Biodiesel and
solar-powered RV with three other women and embark on a tour of health
and wellness information.  
   The crew is undertaking a nationwide video project to document the
lives that have been touched and dramatically changed by the use of
raw, living foods. Dubbed the “Women Go Raw Tour,” this team of
specialists in the field will “host dynamic, fun events that include
tips on live food nutrition” for various health concerns. 

Sponsors, players sought for Matt Ruiz golf tournament benefit

The Second Annual Matt Ruiz Benefit Golf Tournament will be held at the
Maderas Golf Club at 17750 Old Coach Road in Poway on Friday, Sept. 25.
   Ruiz, a Ramona resident and Ramona High graduate, was critically
injured in an accident in March of 2008. He is at home, with his mother
as his full-time caretaker and where he continues to make progress and
is making a slow recovery, said benefit coordinator Lindsey Smith. He
is in a wheelchair and unable to speak, and costs to meet his needs are
prohibitive, reports Smith.

Garden Club caters to all shades of green

Fall is right around the corner, and clubs and organizations are gearing up for another season.  
There are plenty of ways to get active and involved in this growing
community that used to be a “little” quiet town. Though the town is not
so quiet any longer, the people are just as friendly. From volunteering
organizations to courses in crafts, animals or books, there is
certainly something for everyone.
   This will be the first in a series of articles about what is
available in Ramona.  Though not exhaustive, it will give newcomers an
idea of where to start to get involved.

Spread of Steffy brush fire stopped, CalFire reports

The spread of the brush fire off Steffy and Wilson roads has been
stopped, and the Incident Commander has canceled all of the
firefighting aircraft, 5 of the engines, the bulldozer, 1 water tender
and 1 fire crew, CalFire reported just before 1 p.m.  The rest of the
firefighters will remain on scene mopping up any remaining hot spots.
  
CalFire, assisted by U.S. Forest Service and San Diego County sheriff
deputies, responded to the scene of a five-acre acre brush at 11:53
a.m.

Four schools have ‘new’ principals

School officials won’t know until Monday how their projected enrollment
of 6,435 students for the 2009-10 year matches with reality.
   “Monday really will be a telling tale,” said David Ostermann,
assistant superintendent of administrative services for the Ramona
Unified School District, referring to the first day of school for
students.
   The projection is 167 students less than the 6,602 enrolled in
Ramona public schools in the 2008-09 year, continuing a trend of
declining enrollment in the district, particularly in the lower grades.

Hunter to host job fair Sept. 2

   A community job fair hosted by District 52 Congressman Duncan
Hunter with the East County Career Center and the Employment
Development Department  will be held in the Ronald Reagan Community
Center in El Cajon on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon.
   The event is open to all interested individuals and qualified companies.
   Businesses interested in participating must return a completed 
registration form to Hunter’s office. More information is available
from Hunter’s El Cajon office at 619-448-5201.
   Ramona is among communities in District 52.

Judge denies bail increase for Kurtenbach

A judge on Aug. 19 turned down a prosecutor’s request to increase the
current $2 million bail bond for Ramona businessman James Kurtenbach,
who remains free while he awaits a January 2010 trial for murder, arson
and insurance fraud stemming from the death of an employee.
   El Cajon Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos said there was little
change in circumstances since a previous judge set bail at $2 million
and Kurtenbach has made all of his court appearances. Exarhos did order
Kurtenbach to stay 100 yards away from four people who testified
against him last week, and he also allowed the businessman to be
searched without a warrant.

RHS Royal Alliance ready to rock the field

   What do you get when you cross the songs of Kansas with Guitar Hero?

  
A halftime football show performed by the Ramona High School Royal
Alliance Marching Band and Color Guard that is “going to be a really
fun show,” said band director Daniel James.

Man denies setting out poisonous meatballs

A Ramona man denied charges at his arraignment Aug. 18 that he set out
poisonous meatballs in a public area for dogs near his home. He also
pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty and exposing an animal to poison.
   Gerald Francis Parry, 47, was released on his own recognizance by El
Cajon Superior Court Judge Charles Ervin, who ordered him to appear
Sept. 29 for a preliminary hearing. The charges of animal cruelty and
knowingly setting out a hazardous substance on a public road are
felonies, while the charge of exposing an animal to poison is a
misdemeanor.