Inland Community News briefs for Friday, Oct. 10

By North County Times | Friday, October 10, 2008 12:18 AM PDT ∞

Llama & Alpaca Playday on tap

VALLEY CENTER ---- Camelids of California will sponsor a Llama & Alpaca Playday from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 11 at 29560 Valley Center Road. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.

Participants can enjoy a fun day playing with llamas or alpacas. There will be a treasure hunt, costumes, sack races and other games. Cost to participate is $20 for adults and $10 for children; free for spectators. Participants can bring their own llama or alpaca or reserve one for the event.

Reserve to (619) 401-5334 or starlightvalleyllamas@cox.net. Information: (760) 749-1087; www.almaraalpacas.com.

Cat adoption events planned

SAN DIEGO ---- The Rescue House, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to finding loving and caring homes for unwanted, abandoned or abused cats, will hold cat/kitten adoption events at these locations:

-- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 11, Carmel Mountain Ranch Petco, 11160 Rancho Carmel Drive.

-- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19, Mira Mesa Petco, 8290 Mira Mesa Blvd.

Information: (760) 591-1211; www.rescuehouse.org.

CSUSM Grape Stomp set for Oct. 11

SAN MARCOS ---- Cal State San Marcos and Carlsbad Coastal Winery will host the annual Grape Stomp and Crush Party from 1-4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Forum Plaza on campus, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road. The event will include live music, wine tasting, entertainment for kids and bocce ball games. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance or at the event. Proceeds will benefit the Alumni Endowed Scholarship. Call (760) 750-4405.

Geology instructor to speak at Archaeological Center

ESCONDIDO ---- Dr. Keith Meldahl, instructor of geology and oceanography at MiraCosta College, will give a lecture titled "Hard Road West: History and Geology Along the Gold Rush Trail," from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 11 at the San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road. Suggested donation is $5; free for center members. Information: (760) 291-0370; acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org.

'Color Riot' photography exhibit on display

ESCONDIDO ---- "Color Riot," an exhibit featuring photographs by members of the PhotoArts Group, is on display through Oct. 31 at the InnerSpace Gallery, 262 E. Grand Ave. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. An artists' reception is planned from 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 11. Free. Visit www.photoartsgroup.org.

'Nuts for the Arts' festival on tap

VALLEY CENTER ---- The Nuts for the Arts festival will be held from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 11 and 12 at Bates Nut Farm, 15945 Woods Valley Road. Free.

The fine arts festival will feature award-winning works in oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, photography, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, woodwork, collage and more. There also will be a scarecrow contest, farm zoo, entertainment, hay rides and a country barbecue. Families also can visit Bates' pumpkin patch.

Information: www.batesnutfarm.biz; (760) 749-3333.

Art Walk to feature free concerts

ESCONDIDO ---- The Downtown Business Association will bring music and art together at the 2nd Saturday Art Walk on Oct. 11.

In addition to the art walk, the event will feature two free concerts on Kalmia Street at Grand Avenue. Local band Smoke Staxx will perform a jazz concert at 5 p.m, and Mike Chartrand, a local Indie/acoustic artist, will perform at 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs.

The Downtown Art Walk will be from 5-9 p.m. Gallery listings and maps will be available at the jazz concert. The free event will feature more than 25 artists, galleries and museums showcasing their diversity with artist receptions and demonstrations.

Information: www.downtownescondido.com.

Car show to benefit breast cancer fight

ESCONDIDO ---- The NU-Grounds Auto Club and Escondido Elks No. 1687 are sponsoring a benefit Car Show and Blood Drive from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Elks Lodge, 2430 S. Escondido Blvd. Free.

As many as 100 custom and vintage autos will be on display. The NU-Grounds Auto Club will sell tickets for a prize drawing, with proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to support the fight against breast cancer. Winners need not be present. The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will be on-site to accept blood donations, and the Escondido Elks will sell hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken burgers and soft drinks.

Senior Travel Service to hold meeting

ESCONDIDO ---- The Escondido Joslyn Senior Center Travel Service will hold its monthly travel meeting at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the senior center, 210 Park Ave.

Seniors can get information about upcoming day trips. Also, Elaine Moulton of On the Road Again Travel will present a slide show highlighting holiday tours and tours in the new year.

Call (760) 745-5414.

Woman's club to host author/artist

VALLEY CENTER ---- The Valley Center Women's Club will present an evening with artist and author Robert Cording at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Valley Center Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road.

Cording, author and illustrator of "The Lion and The Land of Narnia," as well as other publications, will talk about his works, answer questions and sign copies of his book. He also will create a painting during his talk, which will be auctioned off that evening. Proceeds will be donated to the club's scholarship fund.

Free. Call (760) 749-1305.

New 4-H Club meets in Pauma Valley

PAUMA VALLEY ---- The newly formed Mission Trails 4-H Club held its first meeting Sept. 9 at Pauma Valley Community Church.

Adviser Deanna Oswalt of Valley Center spoke about her commitment to serving the youths in her community and shared what 4-H has meant to her and her family through the years. Five-year-old Ryan Archambeault, the youngest member of the club, then led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the 4-H Pledge led by veteran 4-H member Kimberly Colonello. Subsequently, both were unanimously voted into office as co-sergeants-at-arm. Other club officers elected were: Alexis Oswalt, president; Sarah Mendoza, secretary; Jamie Archambeault, membership secretary; Carley Hedges, historian; and Bailey Archambeault, reporter. Nominations for the office of treasurer will be accepted at the next meeting on Oct. 14.

4-H leaders and volunteers provide an opportunity for youths ages 5-19 to take part in community service and animal projects that teach leadership skills and civic responsibility. The Mission Trails 4-H Club is enrolling new members through January. Call (760) 751-0771.

Parent advocates group to meet

POWAY ---- Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions, a support group for parents of children ages 15 and older who have developmental disabilities, will meet from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 16 at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road. Fritz Steen, outreach coordinator for Centre of Health Care, will speak on "Medical Prevention and Education." Visit www.powaypass.com.

Casino Night to benefit pediatric cancer research

SAN MARCOS ---- The Biggs Harley-Davidson Owners Group will host a Casino Night fundraiser from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 18 at Biggs Harley Davidson, 717 Center Drive.

Attendees will deal, gamble, and wage their bets to win raffle tickets for a variety of prizes. Proceeds will go to the Seany Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports funding for pediatric cancer research.

Tickets and information: (800) 442-7539; www.biggshog.com.

Women's personal safety workshop set

POWAY ---- Poway Samurai Martial Arts will offer a workshop titled "Tools for Personal Safety for Women" from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at 13378 Poway Road.

Women can learn techniques and strategies for protecting themselves during the holiday season. The workshop will teach women how to escape, control and avoid dangerous situations.

Cost is $50; bring a friend for free. Information: (858) 486-0059; www.PowayMartialArtsSchool.com.

AAUW to host naturopathic doctor

RANCHO BERNARDO ---- The Rancho Bernardo branch of the American Association of University Women will meet Oct. 21 at the RB Swim and Tennis Club, 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive. The meeting starts at 12:30 p.m. with a brown bag lunch followed by dessert, with the program at 1:30.

The speaker will be Kelly Austin, a naturopathic doctor and fitness instructor, specializing in clinical nutrition, hormone balancing, autism and Down syndrome.

Call (858) 613-9209.

Donations sought for care packages

POWAY ---- The city, the Poway Unified School District and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7907 are working together to collect donations for care packages for U.S. troops with the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion of the 1st Marine Division, which recently deployed to Iraq.

These travel-sized items are needed: baby wipes, spray-on sunscreen, soap, disposable razors, shaving cream, tissue, shampoo, lotion and lip balm. Also needed are individual bags of beef jerky, candy, chips, crackers, cookies and chewing gum; and miscellaneous items such as calling cards, disposable cameras, work-boot gel inserts, cotton-heeled crew socks (black or white), playing cards, crossword puzzles, magazines (sports, cars, hunting/fishing), DVDs (action and comedy), and quart-size reclosable plastic bags.

Donations can be dropped off in the red bin at the Community Services Department at Poway City Hall, 13325 Civic Center Drive. Monetary donations and cards and letters for the Marines also can be dropped off at this location. Makes checks payable to VFW Post 7907 with "relief fund" in the memo line.

The deadline for donations is Nov. 7 for delivery in time for Thanksgiving.

Arts center foundation announces officers

POWAY ---- The Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation recently announced its 2008-09 officers.

Ginger Larson of Winton Larson LLC will serve as president; Liza Pille of CitiSmith Barney is the immediate past president; retired banker Steve Riddle will serve as treasurer; and longtime board member Peggy Stewart, who used to oversee the center in her role as director of Community Services for the city of Poway, will serve as secretary.

The new leadership team stepped into their roles on July 1. Goals for the coming year include increasing the foundation's support base and visibility, examining how electronic culture can aid in ticket sales and expanding the foundation's "Arts in Education" program.

Information: www.powayarts.org; (858) 748-0505.

Free estate planning seminars offered

NORTH COUNTY ---- Sponsored by the American Heart Association, estate planning and probate attorney Marilyn Shea will conduct a series of free seminars discussing trusts, wills and life income gifts. Each seminar will include discussions on Medi-Cal strategies and planning for disabilities. The schedule:

-- 10 a.m. Oct. 15, Shadowridge Country Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, Vista.

-- 10 a.m. Oct. 16, Best Western Marty's Inn, 3240 E. Mission Ave., Oceanside.

-- 7 p.m. Oct. 16, San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos.

Reserve to (760) 721-0600; www.estatepreservationgp.com.