Inland Community News briefs for Friday, July 4, 2008

By North County Times | Friday, July 4, 2008 12:19 AM PDT ∞

Kiwanis Club plans July 4 blood drive

SAN MARCOS ---- The Kiwanis Club of San Marcos will hold its seventh annual Fourth of July Blood Drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4 in the top mesa parking lot of Bradley Park, 465 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road. Information: www.kiwanisclubofsanmarcos.org.

Xtreme Biking Exhibition set

RANCHO BERNARDO ---- The Church at Rancho Bernardo will hold an Xtreme Biking Exhibition featuring BMX and X-Games champion Vic Murphy from 4-5 p.m. July 5 at the church, 11740 Bernardo Plaza Court. Free. Information: www.thechurchatrb.org; (858) 592-2434.

Free hikes offered at Daley Ranch

ESCONDIDO ---- Free guided nature hikes are offered at Daley Ranch. All trails include steep and/or slippery sections. Bring at least two liters of water; wear a hat, sunscreen and hiking boots or treaded footwear. Youths under 18 must be with an adult. No pets. Unless otherwise noted, meet at the La Honda Drive entrance. A shuttle with handicapped accessibility runs Sundays.

The hike schedule and trail map are online at www.ci.escondido.ca.us. Reserve to (760) 839-4680.

Upcoming hikes and events:

-- 8 a.m. July 5, "Red Diamond Rattlesnakes." Naturalist Jack Pomeroy will lead a hike over Boulder Loop and Rock Ridge Trail and talk about the rocks, common plants and rattlesnakes on this moderately strenuous 4-mile hike.

-- 6 p.m. July 8 and 29, "Stroll Around the Ranch." Naturalist Michelle Capodice will lead a leisurely hike to the Ranch House and talk about the local plants and animals along the way.

-- 8:30 a.m. July 12, "Endangered Plants and Animals: We Are Their Guests!" Naturalist Dorothy Klitzing will discuss the year-round habits of plants and animals, where they might be seen and their origins on this moderately easy 2-mile hike.

-- 9 a.m. July 13, "Vegetation and Views." Naturalist Rick Paul will lead an occasionally strenuous 4-mile hike to see a diverse plant population and expansive views. Ask him about a Daley Ranch keepsake. Meet at the Cougar Pass parking lot.

-- 9 a.m. July 27, "Having Fun on the Trails." Naturalist and biologist Carol Stanford will lead a 4-plus-mile hike and discuss plants and animals on the ranch.

-- 6 a.m. July 31, "Ladies Hike." Women (and men, too) are invited to take a guided nature hike with naturalist D.J. Summers. See what is in bloom and learn about the wildlife at the ranch.

Poetry, music open-mike event set

ESCONDIDO ---- A poetry and music open-mike event will be held July 6 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, 142 W. Grand Ave.

Writers are invited to read their own poems and short fiction, or read those of their favorite authors from 1-3 p.m. Singers and musicians are invited to perform between 3 and 5 p.m. Call (760) 480-4101.

Democratic Club to host speaker

POWAY ---- The Poway Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. July 10 in the Little Theater (Room 608) at Twin Peaks Middle School, 14640 Tierra Bonita Road.

Marshall Saunders, president of the Citizens Climate Lobby, will discuss the crisis of climate and democracy and how individuals can exercise personal political power to effect change. Free. Information: www.PowayDemocraticClub.org; (858) 748-1645.

Vision and reading problems is workshop topic

SAN MARCOS ---- A free workshop for parents or teachers with young children who are behind in reading, have trouble with comprehension or anyone for whom reading is a slow, laborious chore will be offered from 7-8:30 p.m. July 9 at It's Academic Tutoring Center, 1615 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite A. The workshop will cover vision problems that affect reading or learning disabilities. Reserve to (951) 234-1915.

'Interfaith Summer Nights' series to begin

POWAY ---- The Poway Interfaith Team will host its third annual "Interfaith Summer Nights" from 6:30-8:45 p.m. Thursdays, July 10-Aug. 20, in Fellowship Hall at Community Church in Poway, 13501 Community Road.

Spiritual leaders from 14 different religions will share their faith's perspective on one to three topics and offer samples of their foods. The goal is to increase community awareness, understanding and education of different traditions.

An "Interfaith Weekend Experience" will be from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 23 and 1-5 p.m. Aug. 24. Donations accepted. Call (858) 487-8885.

Hallmark ornament collectors to meet

ESCONDIDO ---- Hallmark Ornament Collectors Club will meet at 7 p.m. July 10 at CC's Hallmark, 322A W. El Norte Parkway. The program will be an "Ornament Premiere." Bring a chair. Call (760) 743-4707.

Benefit skateboard contests planned

POWAY ---- The Holy Chaos Skate Club, in cooperation with Active Ride Shops, will hold a benefit Best Trick Contest and a Game of S-K-A-T-E Contest from 4-8:30 p.m. July 12 at the skate facility in the back parking lot of Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, 16889 Espola Road.

Participants will have an opportunity to be judged by the Active Pro Team. A donation of $5 per contest is requested. Besides the opportunity to compete for prizes, participants also get a free raffle ticket for four two-park passes to Disneyland and California Adventure. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased or received free for each usable skateboard deck or other skate item donated for children in Mexican orphanages.

Call (760) 580-4064.

'Camp Millionaire' offered for youths

ESCONDIDO ---- Dehesa Charter School in Escondido will host "Camp Millionaire" from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 14-18. Taught by certified "Camp Millionaire" coaches, the fun, interactive camp teaches financial literacy to kids in grades 5-8. Information and registration: (760) 743-7880.

Local photographer wins award

NORTH COUNTY ---- Local photographer Lisa K. Miller, owner of Photography by Lisa K in Rancho Penasquitos, has won a first-place award in the Black and White Portraits category at this year's San Diego County Fair. Miller's entry, titled "Sophie's Excitement," captures the expression of a young child's delight at the simplest things. The portrait is on display in the photographic exhibition at the fair, which runs through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Senior community seeks flagpole

ESCONDIDO ---- The men's club at Villa del Rey Senior Community in Escondido is seeking assistance in obtaining a new flagpole. Many residents are veterans, and the club wants to honor them with a new and larger flagpole. Call (760) 741-3055.

Audubon photo contest winners announced

ESCONDIDO ---- The Palomar Audubon Society announced the winners of its first bird photography contest at its annual picnic, hosted recently by Jerry and Eva Wilson of Escondido.

The first-place award of $200 went to Bert Kersey for his photo of a yellow-crowned night heron. The $100 second-place award went to Eric Kallen for his photo of a hooded oriole. Scott Gorsuch won the third-place prize of $50 for his photo of northern pintails reflected in the water.

Honorable mention awards of $25 went to Gladys Wark, Paul Zepf and Joan Cominto. Judges were Heather Kinch and Celeste Willoughby of Heather Kinch Studio.

Kersey's first-place photo will be displayed on the Palomar Audubon Society's Web site, www.palomaraudubon.org, for one year.

In addition, the chapter celebrated its 20th anniversary at the picnic. Past presidents were honored, including Ken Weaver, the first president. Jane McNeil, 89, traveled from Texas to attend. Other guests included Illene Littlefield, Paul Bergford, Richard Barber, Vesta Deneen and Yolanda Fleet.

Vendors sought for Ramona fair

RAMONA ---- Vendors are being sought for the 38th annual Ramona Country Fair to run July 31-Aug. 3. Commercial, craft, informational, educational and food vendors are needed. The fair also will include carnival rides, animals and entertainment. Free admission. Call (760) 765-4758 or (760) 789-1311.

Club offers free membership for middle-schoolers

RAMONA ---- Students entering grades 6-8 are eligible for a free 2008-09 membership at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, Ramona Branch.

Youths must attend the club three days a week to receive the free membership ---- a $60 value. The club is open from 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays during the summer and from 2-6 p.m. during the school year.

The new membership year began July 1 and ends June 30, 2009. Download membership applications at www.sdyouth.org (click "Locations" and "Ramona"). Call (760) 788-7564.

Local author to sign books

CARLSBAD ---- San Marcos author Cheri Harris will answer questions and sign copies of her book "A Message From St. Francis: An Ancient Mystic Speaks to the Modern World," from noon-5 p.m. July 6 at Sacred Pathway book store, 800 Grand Ave., Suite A6. Information: www.followsaintfrancis.com.

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