Coastal Community News Briefs for Tuesday, Oct. 14

By North County Times | Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:19 AM PDT ∞

LIFE at MiraCosta to meet

OCEANSIDE ---- LIFE at MiraCosta, a lifelong learning group, will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 17 in Room 1068 at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive. A member of the League of Women Voters will preview the November ballot propositions.

At 2:30 p.m., Julie Viignata of the MCC faculty, in "Military Medical Goes Civilian," will discuss how MCC helps veterans meet the requirements for the special certification required to alleviate the region's nursing shortage. Call (760) 721-8124.

HOAs can save money on water

OCEANSIDE ---- "Saving Water and Money for Your Homeowners Association" will be held from 9-11 a.m. Oct. 17 at the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway. The free workshop is offered by the city of Oceanside, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College and the San Diego County Water Authority. It will provide HOA property managers, board members and landscapers with strategies to lower the amount of water used at their sites and save money by working together. Register at (619) 660-0614, Ext. 10.

Benefit set for Star Theatre

OCEANSIDE ---- A benefit for theater productions at the Star Theatre, "A Night of 1,000 Stars," featuring talent from the local community, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the theater, 402 N. Coast Highway. Doors open at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $15 general seating with a limited number of premium seats at $25. There will be a silent auction.

Tickets and information: (949) 295-9934; www.startheatre.biz.

Registration set for youth basketball

VISTA ---- The city's Youth Basketball Program will hold registration from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 15 for Vista residents; 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 for all community members; and a late registration from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23. Registration is held at the Brengle Terrace Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive.

This noncompetitive program is for boys and girls in grades 1-12 and provides youths the opportunity to strengthen their skills, demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior and develop a broad base of knowledge in basketball. Fees range from $65-$70 for residents and $78-$84 for nonresidents. League play starts in December.

Team sponsorships and player scholarship opportunities are available by calling Sam Beukema at (760) 726-1340, Ext. 1574. Information: www.vistarecreation.com; randerson@cityofvista.com.

India's Kathak Dance to be performed

VISTA ---- Students of Sharavati Sathe will perform northern India's Kathak Dance at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave. Kathak is a classical dance that tells a dramatic story with traditional Indian music and costumes. Free. Call (760) 643-5100.

Author will sign book, 'Vista'

VISTA ---- Lois Vaughan Cavalier will autograph her new book, "Vista," from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 18 at the World's Fare gift shop, 1255 e. Vista Way. The book is a compilation of 207 historic photographs and accompanying information about early Vista. It is published by Arcadia Publishing.The signing is a feature of the annual pre-holiday open house to be held that day at World's Fare. The store will be decorated for the holidays and will offer gourmet food samplings and new gift items. Call (760) 726-4125.

Sons of Norway to meet

VISTA ---- A halibut dinner and program about Leif Eriksson will be held Oct. 18 at the Sons of Norway Lodge, 2006 E. Vista Way. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m., dinner at 6, followed by the program. Information: (760) 726-5446; aundheim@cox.net.

Used glasses, hearing aids collected

VISTA ---- Dr. Ginger Hansen and staff are collecting used glasses and hearing aids for the Vista Lions Club. Drop off is at 1235 W. Vista Way, Suite F. Call (760) 940-0366.

Genealogy groups to meet

CARLSBAD ---- "Social Networking" will be the topic discussed by genealogy librarians Mary Van Orsdol, Ann Montgomery, and Judy Michaels at the Computer-Oriented Genealogy Group meeting, sponsored by North San Diego County Genealogical Society, from 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 14 in the Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Orsdol, Montgomery and Michaels will discuss how Facebook.com and other Internet communities can further genealogical research. Call (760) 967-8635.

Also, at 1 p.m., the North San Diego County Genealogical Society will hold its monthly Business and Sharing Meeting in the Community Room of Carlsbad Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Call (760) 630-5720.

Tennis courts to open tomorrow

CARLSBAD ---- The public is invited to join Mayor Bud Lewis and the City Council for the Poinsettia Park tennis courts dedication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the park, 6600 Hidden Valley Road. Courts will be available for open play following the event. With the addition of seven new tennis courts, walkways, shade structures and spectator seating ---- Poinsettia Park is now home to the largest public tennis complex in the city. Information: (760) 434-2826; www.CarlsbadConnect.org.

Play readers to perform at center

CARLSBAD ---- The new Reader Theatre Matinee Productions will present a staged play reading, featuring three one-act plays at 12:45 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Call (760) 602-4650.

'Wicked' author to launch new book at luncheon

CARLSBAD ---- Words Alive’s fifth annual Authors’ Luncheon will be held from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 7100 Four Seasons Point. The fundraiser has been selected by publisher Harper Collins to serve as the official, worldwide launch of best-selling “Wicked” author Gregory Maguire’s latest book, “A Lion Among Men, Volume Three in the Wicked Years.” Maguire is the author of six novels for adults and more than a dozen novels for children, including “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” “Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister,” “Lost,” “Mirror Mirror,” and “Son of a Witch.” Kathi Diamant, award-winning author, actress, TV and radio broadcaster well known for her work with KPBS and an author in her own right, will emcee the event. The program also will include a tribute to The Westreich Foundation, founder of the Words Alive Westreich Scholarship Program. The event will benefit the organization literacy programs for at-risk children, youth and adults. Information: (858) 274-9673; jennifer@wordsalive.org; www.wordsalive.org.

Photography exhibit ongoing

CARLSBAD ---- World traveler and photographer David Seeley has an exhibit of his photographs at the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League Gallery through Nov. 2. Seeley spent many years hiking and photographing the Sierras.� He has trekked the bottom of the Grand Canyon and explored many desert areas.� His travels has taken him to Machu Pichu, Peru,� the Seychelles Islands, Kenya, Thailand, Egypt and China providing him with a wide variety of photographic opportunities. In addition, he prints most of his own photos giving him more control over the end product.� 

The gallery is located at in the Village Faire Shopping Centre, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 101.� Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Information: (760) 434-8497; www.coalartgallery.com.

Report illegal disposal of cigarettes

CARLSBAD ---- During what is historically the hottest time of the year in San Diego County and when fire risk is at its peak, the Carlsbad Police Department would like to remind citizens to properly dispose of cigarettes, and asks them to report when they see people throwing cigarettes from their vehicles. Not only is that a violation of the California Vehicle Code, it is also a significant fire hazard. Citizens caught throwing lighted or unlighted cigarettes from vehicles will be cited and fined. The fine for a first-time offense is $100 with a mandatory court appearance; the second offense is $500. Call the 24-hour Cigarette Butt Hotline sponsored by the San Diego County Surfrider Foundation at (877) 211-BUTT (2888). Be prepared to report:

-- Vehicle license number, make, model and color; date, time and location of incident

-- Who threw the cigarette (driver or passenger), male or female

Call in to 911 any other suspicious activity related to possible fires.

Learn basics of jewelry making

ENCINITAS ---- Jewelry designer Kerry Greenwood will teach the basics of jewelry design and beading techniques at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Encinitas Community Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Materials will be provided free of charge to participants to make a pair of earrings and a bracelet. Class size is limited and registration is required. Call (760) 753-7376.

Library to host Polynesian dance

ENCINITAS ---- Kehulili O Kailani of Encinitas will demonstrate a variety of dances including Hawai’I Anuana (modern) hula, Kahako (ancient) hula, Maori (New Zealand), and Tahitian forms of dance in traditional costume at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Encinitas Community Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Call (760) 753-7376.

Volunteers needed for lagoon work parties

ENCINITAS ---- Volunteer work parties are needed to assist in the conservation of the 1,000 acre San Elijo Lagoon ecological reserve from 9-11 a.m. Oct. 18, and every third Saturday at various locations throughout the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve in Encinitas, Cardiff and Solana Beach. Activities change from month to month and include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal and access improvements. The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy was founded in 1987 to protect, preserve and enhance the San Elijo Lagoon and its watershed. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age (children ages 10-15 are allowed with adult supervision). Reservations are required. No special skills necessary. There are no facilities at the reserve. Volunteers should bring a hat, close-toed shoes, sunscreen and water. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Information: (760) 436-3944; ralph@SanElijo.org.

Scientist to discuss book on afterlife

ENCINITAS ---- Scientist and biotechnology executive Leo Kim will discuss his new book, “Healing the Rift: Bridging the Gap Between Science & Spirituality,” and focus on his scientific explanation and rationale for an afterlife during a presentation hosted by San Diego IANDS from 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Quimby Classroom, the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive. San Diego IANDS is a support and educational group for people and families dealing with near-death experiences, deathbed visions, after-death communication, spontaneous mystical experiences, as well as the general public. A donation of $10 is suggested. Visit www.seasidechurch.org.

Quail Botanical to hold annual fall plant sale

ENCINITAS ---- Quail Botanical Gardens will hold its annual fall plant sale from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18-19 at the gardens, 230 Quail Garden Drive.

More than 100 local San Diego County growers, wholesalers, retail nurseries and private individuals will offer large quantities of drought-tolerant plants, California natives, cacti, succulents, bromeliads, fruit trees and sub-tropicals. Seventeen boxes of plant-related books and cookbooks will be for sale at the annual event. Also for sale will be tools, crafts, gourmet jams and jellies, baked goods and lunch. Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and active military and $5 for children ages 3-12. Children age 2 and under are free. Free for members. Information: (760) 436�“3036; www.qbgardens.org.