Amid the laughs at the North County Serenity House Comedy Night event on Saturday came a poignant moment. The rehabilitation program for women with substance abuse problems surprised one of its former clients with its Woman of Courage award.

Constance came to Serenity House carrying her belongings in a lunch sack, having been in and out of prison and homeless, said Executive Director Kathy Valenzuela.

While in the program, she sobered up, earned her high school diploma and landed a good job. She is now a supervisor for a local grocery chain, has been clean and sober for five years and will soon be married.

"She's a great example of someone doing things the right way," said Valenzuela. "She encouraged other clients at the event to work toward positive choices and positive behavior - that 'You need to stay on track so you can be successful.' It was a very touching speech."

Helping hands: Add to the list of good-deed doers Mark S. Stein and Stanley Weinberg. The Escondido doctors left Monday for 10 days in Romania, where they'll perform much-needed neurosurgery and other medical treatment for orphans in Bucharest.

Friends of Neurosurgery International and the Heart to Heart Christian ministry organized the trip, the first for a neurosurgeon heading to Romania, said Stern.

Weinberg, a family practitioner, will assist Stern with the five to 10 surgeries a day.

"We want to help people resume their normal lives," said Stern. "We're giving back a little bit to the Third World so they can realize what we Americans are about."

Street festival: Carmel Mountain Ranch residents take to the streets Sunday for the 13th annual Fall Festival, coordinated by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. More than 15,000 people and 220 vendors are expected at the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Carmel Mountain Road between Highland Ranch and Stoney Peak roads.

Entertainment on two stages, featuring the Jerry "Hotrod" Demink Band, the Howl-o-Ween pet costume contest and a small classic car show highlight the festival.

Demink is noted for some unusual guitar antics, including the supposed ability to play while standing on his head, said Brianna Svelmoe, the chamber's event specialist.

The pet contest is at 11:30 a.m. and features owner-pet look-alike and best trick categories, among others.

Rock the vote: The Press Club of North San Diego County will present the Journalism Student Recognition awards to the winners of its annual essay contest at the group's meeting at 10:15 a.m. Friday at Remington Club II in Rancho Bernardo. This year's topic: "How Shall High School Students Prepare for the Privilege and Responsibility of Voting?" Call (858) 487-2504.

- Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419 or jfrank@nctimes.com.