Coastal Community Briefs for Friday, Oct. 31

By North County Times | Friday, October 31, 2008 12:13 AM PDT ∞

Toys for Thailand holds art fundraiser

OCEANSIDE ---- Toys for Thailand will hold its first "Art to Hearts Gallery Project" showcasing several local artists from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Spectrum Video, 1043 South Cleveland St. Toys for Thailand is a voluntary, grassroots team of educators and community members who collect toys and monetary donations to deliver to tsunami-zone and orphaned children in Thailand.

The Art to Hearts Gallery Project also will include art made by the children of Don Chan Orphanage in Thailand, food and wine, music and more. Call (760) 754-1101.http://www.palomar.edu/toys/

Tri-City Computer Club to meet

OCEANSIDE ---- Tri-City Computer Club will meet from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Salvation Army Community Center, 3935 Lake Blvd. There will be a question-and-answer session on the inner workings of computers. Call (760) 433-8097.

Experimental painting is topic of course

OCEANSIDE ---- A six-week course titled "Searching for Art Through Experimental Painting" will be held from 9 a.m.-noon starting Nov. 6 at the School of Art, 219 N. Coast Highway. Instructor is Susan Kopp. Cost is $87 for OMA members; $107 for nonmembers. Call (760) 721-4833.

MOMS Club to hold open house

OCEANSIDE ---- MOMS Club of Oceanside will hold its annual open house from 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 6 at the Buchanon Park playground on College Boulevard along the southern edge of the San Luis Rey River. There will be music, games and refreshments.

The MOMS Club of Oceanside has fun play groups, park days, field trips, a monthly mom's night out and more for stay-at-home moms wanting to meet other moms with children. Information: (760) 842-1000; oceansidemomsclub@hotmail.com;. www.momsclub.org.

California Surf Festival set for Nov. 7-9

OCEANSIDE ---- The first California Surf Festival will be held Nov. 7-9 at the Crest Theater, 102 N. Freeman St. The festival will benefit the California Surf Museum and showcase surfing culture and history through a variety of special events including surf movie screenings, guest appearances, a VIP reception and a live narration by legendary surf filmmaker Bruce Brown of his movie "The Endless Summer." Highlighting the inaugural event will be a special anniversary celebration of Bruce Brown and his 50 years in filmmaking.

The festival will enlighten visitors about the world of surfing as well as showcase the museum's upcoming completion of its new location at 223 N. Coast Highway. Information and tickets: (760) 721-6876; csm@surfmuseum.org; www.surfmuseum.org.

Gallery holds open house

OCEANSIDE ---- An free open house and artist reception will be held from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Oceanside Art Gallery, 602 Mission Ave. The gallery, operated by Joseph and Mary Villela, will host the reception to inaugurate a new exhibit by North County artist members of the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance. The exhibit runs Nov. 4-28. Gallery hours are noon-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Tuesday; noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments for additional viewing hours can be arranged. Call (760) 732-0399.

OMA presents 'Quilt Visions 2008'

OCEANSIDE ---- Oceanside Museum of Art will present "Quilt Visions 2008: Contemporary Expressions" Nov. 9 through March 1, with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 8 at 704 Pier View Way. Admission to the reception is free for OMA members; $8 for nonmembers.

Organized by Quilt San Diego/Quilt Visions, the exhibition was juried by a distinguished panel that selected 41 quilts from 586 entries. Information: (760) 435-3720; www.oma-online.org.

VFW to serve spaghetti

VISTA ---- VFW Post 7041 serves dinner from 5:50 �“ 7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday with a variety of food. The special Oct. 31 is spaghetti for $5. The meal is being hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary with the proceeds going to support the breast cancer three-day walk. After dinner, there will be a Halloween party. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All meals are inexpensive and open to the public. Hall rental available. Visit www.VFW7041.com.

Vista Democrats to meet

VISTA ---- Vista Democrats will meet for breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at Coco's at Melrose Drive and Vista Way. Call (760) 727-2537.

Garden club holds annual scholarship lunch

VISTA ---- The Vista Garden Club will hold its annual scholarship luncheon Nov. 7 at Grace Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 1450 E. Vista Way. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Plants and garden-related items will offered in an opportunity drawing, as well as for sale and valuable services and an array of items will be featured at a live auction. The fundraiser provides scholarships to students majoring in horticulture or related subjects at MiraCosta College. Tickets are $20. Information: (760) 598-8186; www.vistagardenclub.org.

Methodist church women hold boutique

VISTA ---- The women of United Methodist Church of Vista will hold their annual boutique from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at 490 S. Melrose Drive. The boutique will feature handcrafted gifts, decorations, jewelry, cards, homemade preserves and baked goods. Proceeds help feed the needy. Call (760) 726-0442.

Senior center to host Wii Games

CARLSBAD ---- The Carlsbad Senior Center will host weekly Wii game competitions for seniors from 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays at the center, 799 Pine Ave.

Nintendo Wii is a virtual-reality computer console that makes any game easy to play. Get your exercise while having fun and competing with other seniors. Monthly schedule will include: first Friday, bowling competition; second Friday, tennis; third Friday, golf; fourth Friday, baseball. Call (760) 602-4650.

Senior center offers rides

CARLSBAD ---- Carlsbad residents 60 years of age and older who cannot drive and need transportation for medical appointments or grocery shopping can contact the Carlsbad Senior Center's Transportation Program. Transportation for medical appointments is provided Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Appointments must be made by 2 p.m. and end by 4:30 p.m. Service area is limited. Wednesday afternoons are reserved for grocery shopping at Stater Brothers. The first Thursday afternoon of the month transportation is provided to go to Wal-Mart or Trader Joe's. On Mondays through Fridays, seniors can enjoy lunch at the Carlsbad Senior Center. The Senior Center provides transportation. Call (760) 602-4650.

Newcomers to meet at Heritage Hall

CARLSBAD ---- Carlsbad Newcomers will hold its monthly meeting at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 5 at Heritage Hall in Magee Park, 258 Beech St. The group gathers to socialize before beginning the meeting at 10:15 a.m. Physician and author Philip Goscienski will discuss 10 ways to avoid Alzheimer's as well as other types of dementia.

Orchid society to meet Nov. 5

CARLSBAD ---- The Palomar Orchid Society will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Carlsbad Woman's Club, 3320 Monroe St. John Walters of Rex Foster Orchids will discuss the techniques used to create new Cattleya hybrids. Walters has been growing and hybridizing orchids for nearly 40 years. Call (760) 476-9038.

Orthodontist to buy back candy

CARLSBAD ---- Carlsbad orthodontist Michael G. Willes will hold his 10th annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back and School Fundraiser from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at his office, 740 Oak Ave. Willes will pay kids $1 a pound (up to 5 pounds) for their candy, plus donate an additional $1 per pound to participating schools. In turn, kids will receive a goody bag containing a fun toothbrush, dental health puzzles, stickers and magnets, while the candy will be donated to Brother Benno's in Oceanside. Information: (760) 434-5031; www.willesortho.com.

Volunteer drivers needed for seniors

ENCINITAS ---- The Encinitas Senior Center's Out & About Program is seeking volunteer drivers to take senior citizens to the pharmacy, senior center, doctor appointments and grocery store. Volunteers will be responsible for transporting senior citizens in their own vehicle and will be reimbursed the current annual IRS rate per mile. Call (760) 943-2256.

Senior center to host tai chi class

ENCINITAS ---- The Encinitas Senior Center offers a beginning T'ai Chi Chih class, from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Fridays at the center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Led by Pam Towne, the class is designed to teach "Joy through Movement." Register at the center or online. Cost is $5 per class, paid by the month, for students over age 50. Information: (760) 722-9544; www.taichichih.org.

Shelter seeks foster pet families

RANCHO SANTA FE ---- The Helen Woodward Animal Center is seeking volunteer foster parents and families to assist with caring for orphaned pets that are too young to be adopted, or have special medical needs. Training is provided. Call (858) 756-4117, Ext. 375; visit http://www.animalcenter.org.

Adult education classes offered

ENCINITAS ---- San Dieguito Adult School offers free classes for individuals eager to learn English, obtain a GED certificate, earn a high school diploma and prepare for the citizenship test. Classes are offered Mondays through Thursdays, days and evenings. Call (760) 753-7073, Ext. 5104.

Inn at Rancho Santa Fe to host fine art auction

RANCHO SANTA FE ---- Artero, the fundraiser benefiting the Lux Art Institute, Angel Faces and ARTS - A Reason to Survive, will be held from 4-8 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea Del Cielo. The collection of fine art from recognized late 19th and 20th century artists will be auctioned off, as well as more than 100 juried paintings, sculpture, photography and drawings by recognized and emerging local artists. The auction will feature internationally recognized auctioneer Kathleen Guzman, past president of Christie's East, frequently seen on “The Antiques Road Show,” and other programs. Cost is $20 in advance, $30 at the door, and may be purchased at the Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery, 6004 Paseo Delicias; Coldwell Banker RSF, Wells Fargo The Private Bank RSF or the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. Information: (858) 759-3545; www.arterorsf.com.

Golf tournament to benefit sick animals

RANCHO SANTA FE ---- The Del Mar Country Club will host the invitational golf tournament benefiting the FACE Foundation, an animal care group, beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 3 at the club, 6001 Clubhouse Drive. The FACE Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to assist pets in need of critical care and treatment. The daylong event will feature a golf tournament where four-legged companions are encouraged to accompany their owners, a cocktail hour, buffet dinner and a live auction. Honorary chairpersons for the event are Madeline and T. Boone Pickens. Information: (858) 210-0315; www.face4pets.org.

Chamber music at Cardiff Library

CARDIFF ---- The San Diego Chamber Music Society will perform "Music for String Quartet and Horn" during the free concert sponsored by the Friends of the Library at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Cardiff Library's community room, 2081 Newcastle Ave. Call (760) 635-1000.