Stricken with cancer, Suzanne Penny fought it and survived it.

During that 18-month struggle, the breast cancer survivor vowed to help other women as they combat one of the leading causes of death among women, as well as assist fellow survivors.

Penny said she knows from horrifying, first-hand experiences how chemotherapy, radiation treatments and surgery can ravage the body and damage one's self-esteem.

Using her credit cards and equity in her home, Penny opened a boutique in south Carlsbad designed to help this unique group of women.

On Thursday, she held a grand opening for her new boutique, A Pink Ribbon, at 7740 El Camino Real, in the shopping center in the southeast corner of La Costa Avenue and El Camino Real.

Penny described her store as cozy. It carries products that vary from comfortable pajamas to organic teas and skin-care products to renew skin damaged during life-saving treatments. Call (760) 632-7465 or go to the Web site at: www.apinkribbon.com.

30 YEARS OF KICKS --- The Soccer Club of Oceanside is planning its 30th anniversary weekend that will begin with a benefit luncheon at the Outback Restaurant, where restaurant manager Janice Koehler will donate 100 percent of all proceeds to the host organization. The benefit luncheon will have two seatings: at 11:30 and 1 p.m. Aug. 11, with tickets costing only $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Part two of the anniversary weekend will unfold at 2 p.m. Aug. 12 with an anniversary celebration at El Camino High School, 400 Rancho del Oro Drive in Oceanside. There will be a parade of more than 100 teams, games, alumni recognition, music and ever-present raffles. One of the organizers, Tina Ortiz, said the soccer club has lasted for 30 years "due to the commitment of community leaders and the camaraderie enjoyed by participating families and volunteers."

The platinum sponsor for this event is Genentech. Call Ortiz at (760) 599-3303. The club's Web site is: www.soccerclubofoceanside.org.

VOLUNTEER FUN -- Carlsbad's popular ArtSplash 2007 is booked for the weekend of Sept. 22 and 23 and organizers are looking for volunteers to work at the event.

Last year more than 15,000 attended the two-day, gallery-quality showcase of professional art and novice artists creating masterpieces in chalk, stone and sand while visitors watch. Internationally renowned sand sculptor Gerry Kirk will create one of his inimitable pieces of art.

To volunteer, call Joni Miringoff at (760) 930-9123, Ext. 118, or Toni Tschann at (877) 843-4424. You can also call (760) 436-2828 or visit the Web site at www.CarlsbadArtSplash.org.

Contact staff writer J. Stryker Meyer at (760) 901-4089 or jmeyer@nctimes.com.