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Community Corner

Deadline Nears for Honorary Mayor Candidates

This major fundraiser for Ramona Town Hall is in need of more participation. The current "mayor" is running unchallenged in her bid for re-election. Meanwhile, local artists are gearing up for the annual Open Studios Tour.

While the Ramona Town Hall Board of Trustees chose April 1 for the deadline to nominate candidates for the honorary mayor contest, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke. The position is filled every two years by a contest to see which contestant can raise the most money to benefit the historic landmark. Every dollar raised is considered a “vote” for that candidate.

Sharon Davis has served as honorary mayor since July 4, 2009. She has taken an active part in continuing to raise money and work on various events to benefit the ongoing restoration of the 117-year-old adobe building.

She said she has had so much fun as honorary mayor, she has decided to run again. However, no one has stepped up to the plate to run against her. More candidates are needed to help raise more money for the Town Hall.

Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For more information and an application to nominate a candidate, check out the official website at www.ramonatownhall.com.

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Find out what's happening in Ramonawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dinner with friends can be a pleasant experience — getting together and sharing each other’s company, talking over old times or making plans for a special event coming up. Imagine doing this every Friday night for 30 years.

That’s what a group of friends in San Diego Country Estates have been doing for the past three decades. The size of the group varies each week but the Friday night date is always on. Usually they go to a local restaurant while at other times, it may be dinner at someone’s house.

There are four diners from the original group who are still active with the Friday night crowd: Hal and Joan Gansert Pam Johnson and Chuck Lemenager.

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Local artists are polishing up their studios and setting up their work for the eighth annual Ramona Open Studios Tour on April 9 and 10. It’s a popular event that always attracts out-of-towners. Visitors will be able to check out how the artists work, ask questions and buy artwork.

There will be 14 private studios open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, featuring works by 18 award-winning artists. Pieces will include paintings, sculpture, quilt art, fused glass and wirework, stained glass and glass flamework, ceramics, raku pottery, gourd art, woodworking, custom jewelry, metal work and photography.

To view the artists’ work and learn more about the tour, visit www.ramonaart.com. Tickets for the self-guided tour are $10, available at Ramona Chamber of Commerce, 960 Main St., and at the individual studios on the days of the event. For more information, call the chamber office at (760) 789-1311.

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The spotlight this week shines on Sara Rodriguez, a 10th-grader at Ramona High School. Sara, 15, maintains a high grade-point average and staff say she is always prepared for her classes.

Sara plays several sports and is an outfielder on the varsity softball team. Staff at the school say she surrounds herself with a positive group of friends, making high school life an enjoyable time for people around her.

She would like to have a career in forensic science but before that, Sara envisions an extended vacation in Hawaii.

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If you know of people you'd like to see recognized in Talk of Ramona, or if have any questions about the column, send an email to talkoframona@yahoo.com

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