Community News briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 30

By North County Times | Tuesday, December 30, 2008 12:10 AM PST ∞

American Legion treats kids to holiday party

ESCONDIDO ---- Members of American Legion Post 149, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 149, Sons Of American Legion, American Legion Riders, and Forty et Eight Voiture 1406 hosted an annual Christmas party for children Dec. 20 at the Veterans Memorial Building. Children from the Escondido Boys and Girls club received a pair of shoes and socks of their choice from Payless Shoe Store, compliments of the American Legion Post 149 and Forty et Eight Voiture 1406, plus lunch and a gift bag with a toy or a backpack. More than100 children from the National Guard also received a gift bag with a toy or backpack and lunch.

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; second Friday, tennis; third Friday, golf; fourth Friday, baseball. Call (760) 602-4650.

Kohl's presents check to Children's Hospital

POWAY ---- Kohl's Department Stores presented a check to Rady Children's Hospital for more than $116,000 on Dec. 18 at the Poway store. The proceeds came from sales of Kohl's Cares For Kids merchandise.

Fallbrook writers group seeks new members

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook Professional Writers, under the leadership of professional writer and teacher Michael Wolf, is looking for new members. The group of eight meets bimonthly from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays to read and critique each other's work. The group focuses on mainstream fiction with authors serious about publishing their novels and short stories. All prospective members must have their work vetted by Wolf. For address and information, e-mail wolfwriters@gmail.com.

Kiwanis celebrate the holidays with gifts

ESCONDIDO ---- Celebrating the holidays and Kiwanis International's goal of serving children, the Kiwanis Club of Escondido distributed more than 2,000 stuffed animals, toys, and gift cards to students from the McKinney-Vento Program for homeless elementary students, the Del Dios Middle School Santa Store, the Escondido Community Childcare Development Center and the Nicolaysen Special Day School, to every student at Central Elementary, and to children in Fallbrook and Oceanside.

American Legion Auxiliary to host monthly breakfast

ESCONDIDO ---- The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 149 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 4 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Park Ave. Cost is $6 and includes coffee and juice. Proceeds will benefit veterans, children and youth, community services and other programs of the auxiliary. The auxiliary is looking for new members. Prospective members must be a wife, sister, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter, or mother of a veteran to be eligible to join. Dues are $20 a year for seniors, $3 for juniors under age 18. Call (760) 741-1813.

Community center to offer ballet classes

ENCINITAS ---- The Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, will host ongoing ballet classes with instructor Marti Neal for adults and teens (ages 14 and up), beginning Jan. 5. "Ballet I" will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. "Ballet II" will be offered from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays and 6 to 7:10 p.m. Wednesdays. Optional pointe and/or performing opportunities will be available for Level II students.

Call (760) 943-2260 or visit the Web site at http://www.EncinitasRecReg.com.

Learn to speak Russian

OCEANSIDE ---- Instructor Imma Yurist will lead the 12-week Russian language class for travelers and armchair travelers beginning Jan. 6 at the John Landes Recreation Center, 2855 Cedar Road. An intermediate class will be offered at 5:30 p.m., followed by a beginners class at 6:30 p.m. The class is offered through the city of Oceanside Parks and Recreation Division. Students will experience a touch of Russian culture, contemporary politics, music, poetry, humor and even a little Russian cuisine. Cost is $60 for 12 weeks of classes. Register to (760) 435-5041, visit the Web site at http://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us, or call (760) 757-1178.

Library to host 'poetry slam'

CARDIFF ---- The Full Moon Poets' Sixth Annual Invitational Poetry Slam will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6 in the Cardiff Library's Community Room, 2081 Newcastle Ave. Judges will be chosen from audience and a cash prize will be given to winner. Call (760) 635-1000.

Studio to offer watercolor classes

SOLANA BEACH ---- Artist Rikki Reinholz will teach ongoing watercolor classes for all skill levels beginning Jan. 6 at the Studio of Art & Design, 42 Genevieve Ave. Suite H. Classes will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Cost is $35 per class or $300 for a block of 10 classes. Call (858) 755-6202 or visit http://www.StudioofArtandDesign.com.

Orchid society to meet Jan. 7

CARLSBAD ----- The Palomar Orchid Society will meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Carlsbad Woman's Club, 3320 Monroe St. Kathy Creger, botanical artist, avid orchid collector and explorer, will discuss orchid hunting in Jamaica. Society members Sandi Sandquist and Judy Dyer will discuss raising orchids in small spaces. Visit http://www.palomarorchid.org.

Fallbrook Democrats to change venue

FALLBROOK ---- The Fallbrook Democratic Club will change venues for its Jan. 8, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the Fallbrook Woman's Club, 238 W. Mission Road. Bill Powers will discuss the pros and cons of the SDG&E proposed transmission power line from Imperial Valley to north San Diego County. Powers is from Powers Engineering, an air quality consulting /engineering firm in San Diego in 1994. He has been a leader working with the Sierra Club and concerned citizens in opposing the Sunrise Power Link.

AVO Theater to host gospel play

VISTA ---- The gospel play "Wait on God" will be presented at 7 p.m. Jan. 9, and 1 and 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Avo Theater, 303 Main St. "Wait on God" focuses on a young lady who did not want to "wait on God" to provide her soulmate, only to find herself in abusive relationship. Call (760) 724-2110, http://www.vistixonline.com.

Military officers to meet at Pendleton

OCEANSIDE ---- The Pendleton Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will meet at 11a.m. Jan. 10 at the Camp Pendleton Golf Course banquet room. The social hour will start at 11 a.m., with lunch at noon. At 1 p.m., national board member and guest speaker Col. William Gavitt will install new officers. All active duty, retired or former officers, warrant officers and their guests are invited. Reservations recommended. Cost of the buffet meal is $12. Call (760) 233-1316.