ENCINITAS -- A "Floral Design With David Root" workshop will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. March 4 at Quail Botanical Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Participants can learn about the design process using unusual plant materials and containers at this hands-on workshop.

Bring a floral knife, clippers and scissors; all other materials will be provided. Cost is $50 for members, $55 for nonmembers and includes floral materials. Call (760) 436-3036, Ext. 206; or e-mail info@qbgardens.org.

Kids program receives grant

ENCINITAS -- Class Act, "Class-Arts-Children-Technology," has received a check for $6,050 from the Encinitas Rotary Club in support of its programs. The nonprofit group offers standard-based performing arts and technology classes during after-school hours for families in the Encinitas school district. The Encinitas Rotary Club has been a major sponsor of Class Act for the last four years. For information, call (760) 436-3729.

Bocce fans are on a roll

ENCINITAS -- Bocce enthusiasts in Encinitas invite players of any age to participate. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at Oakcrest Park, 1219 Encinitas Blvd. Call Joseph Granata at (760) 942-9675 or Mike Punaro at (760) 632-2258.

Computer classes offered for seniors

ENCINITAS --- A variety of computer programs will be offered at the Encinitas Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, to boost seniors' computer skills. Programs include basics; Internet and e-mail; word processing; intermediate skills; scanners and digital cameras, tips and tricks; eBay workshop; and using CD-RW, DVD and multimedia. The instructor is Joan Yap. Call for schedule at (760) 943-2250.

Botanical gardens seeks volunteers

ENCINITAS -- Quail Botanical Gardens is seeking volunteers intrigued by nature and plants. Volunteer opportunities are available for working in the children's Seeds of Wonder Garden, carpentry work, general office procedures, garden development and more. Call Pat Hammer at (760) 436-3036, Ext 203; or go to http://www.qbgardens.org.

Cancer group meets Mondays

ENCINITAS -- Caring Community -- Living With Cancer offers support group services to people in North County who are living with cancer. The group meets from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Jewish Family Service, 285 N. El Camino Real, Suite 218. Call (619) 682-2663.

Historical society needs volunteers

ENCINITAS -- The Encinitas Historical Society is seeking volunteers for Fridays and Saturdays at the 1883 Schoolhouse, Fourth and F streets.

Volunteer service is for two or four hours in the afternoons. Volunteers will be trained and will receive local history material. Call (760) 753-5726.

Seniors can take Hawaiian dance class

ENCINITAS -- The Encinitas Senior Center will offer a Hawaiian dance class for seniors called "Healing Spirit of Hula for Seniors" from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The level-one class is not an advanced or instructor-led class. Cost is $25. Call (760) 943-2250.

Computer-aided drafting class to begin

ENCINITAS -- The San Diego Academy will offer a computer-aided drafting/design class, open to adults and youths ages 16 and older, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 30 through June 15, at the school, 800 Santa Fe Drive. The curriculum will emphasize architecture and 3-D solid modeling using the most current computer-aided drafting/design software available on the market today. Call (760) 753-1758.

Senior writers meet Mondays

CARLSBAD -- Writers ages 55 and older meet from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Call (760) 602-4650.

Musicologist to present 'Opera Previews'

CARLSBAD -- San Diego Opera's lecture series, "Opera Previews," led by musicologist Ron Shaheen, will get under way with Mussorgsky's "Boris Godunov" at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 at the Carlsbad City Dove Library, 1775 Dove Lane. Information: (760) 434-2904, http://www.carlsbadca.gov/arts.

City's recreation department seeks feedback

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Recreation Department is seeking feedback from the public regarding recreational needs and priorities of the community; types of programming and/or activities the community would like to see; how the department can better serve and communicate with the public; and how recreation can keep up with changing times, demographics and trends.

The Recreation Department is also inviting the community to participate in the following open community forums.

- 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Stagecoach Community Center, 3420 Camino de los Coches.

- 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Pacific Rim Elementary, 1100 Camino de las Ondas.

- 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Calavera Hills Community Center, 2997 Glasgow Drive.

- 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Reservations for the forums are requested. Call Craddock Stropes at (760) 602-7524, e-mail cstro@ci.carlsbad.ca.us or go to http://www.CarlsbadConnect.org.

Flying Samaritans seeks medics

SAN DIEGO -- The Flying Samaritans needs medical professionals (MDs, DOs, RNs, LVNs, CNAs, EMT/paramedics) to volunteer one Saturday per month at El Hongo, Mexico. The team meets in San Diego at 8 a.m. Some carpools are available from UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton and Temecula. From there everyone carpools to the clinic via the Tecate border. Call Stacy Webb at (951) 541-7711 or e-mail stacywebbafrica@msn.com.

Paul Robeson tribute on tap

SAN DIEGO -- Actor Stogie Kenyatta will present his one-man show, "The World Is My Home: The Life and Times of Paul Robeson," in celebration of Black History Month, at 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at the World Beat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., in Balboa Park. Cost is $10. For information, call (619) 230-1190.

Boating safety classes offered

OCEANSIDE -- The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Oceanside Harbor Flotilla 16-06, will offer an eight-week class in boating safety from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 2 through March 23, at the Oceanside Public Library, Mission Branch, 3861 Mission Ave., Suite B-1. Cost is $50. E-mail tcorrigan@sdccu.net or call (760) 231-6725.

Vista Garden Club to meet Feb. 2

VISTA -- The Vista Garden Club will meet Feb. 2 at the Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. A light luncheon will be served at noon followed by the business meeting and program at 1:15 p.m.

The program will be a presentation by local entomologist Jim Davis, who will talk about identifying beneficial insects and how to keep them in the garden.

E-mail trudy77@cox.net.

Gospel choir auditions set

VISTA -- Auditions for "Through the Storm Gospel Chorus" will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 28 in Vista. Auditioners must read music proficiently and be familiar with gospel style. For location and more information, call (760) 525-7233 or e-mail stormchorus@yahoo.com

DAR to hold awards ceremony

VISTA -- Rancho Buena Vista Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold its annual Awards Ceremony Feb. 3 at the Wildwood Community Center, 651 E. Vista Way. This ceremony recognizes the students for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments. Students being honored include Good Citizenship, ROTC and Good Citizens. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. followed by refreshments with a theme of presidential cookies. In addition, Perry Wilcox, representing Children of the American Revolution, will speak briefly about his organization and information will be available to those interested in becoming members devoted to promoting patriotism.

DAR is open to any female age 18 or older who can prove direct lineage to an ancestor who participated in some way in America's fight for independence in the Revolutionary War.

For more information contact Pat Blair, regent, at (760) 751-2933, or Margaret Read, registrar, at (760) 757-0528.

VFW serves special dinners

VISTA -- Swiss steak will be the dinner special from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, 1717 E. Vista Way, Suite 117. The dinner includes salad and costs $6.50 per person. Regular menu items also will be available. The special Jan. 27 is Ronnie's burgers and fries for $3.50; and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 28 ham steak and eggs will be served for $4. Proceeds are used for veterans' programs. Call (760) 724-7041.

VFW holds Super Bowl Party

VISTA -- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7041 will host a Super Bowl Party Feb. 4 at the post at 1717 E. Vista Way, Suite 117. Light snacks and finger foods will be served. The party starts at 2 p.m. and the game at 3 p.m. Call (760) 724-7041.

Support group meets

OCEANSIDE -- Picking Up the Pieces Support Group is for those who are faced with a new beginning after a death. This is a community program sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside and Eternal Hills Memorial Park to help people learn to cope with the trials of starting a new life. Participants share questions, concerns and hopes for the future.

Meetings are held from 2 to 3 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month in the church Fireside Room. Call (760) 757-3560.

Oceanside Elks hold bingo

OCEANSIDE -- Oceanside Elks Lodge 1561 will hold bingo at 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at 444 Country Club Lane. Call (760) 433-1561.

Senior center to hold ballroom dance

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside Senior Center will hold a ballroom dance featuring music by vocalist Jerry James and the band Sound Investment from 2 to 4 p.m. today at 455 Country Club Lane. Admission is $4 and anyone 55 and over is welcome. Refreshments will be served. Call (760) 435-5250.

Journalist Roundtable set for Feb. 1

OCEANSIDE -- KOCT TV will present Journalist Roundtable from 7 to 8 p.m. Feb. 1 on Cox cable Channel 18. Host Eric Larson will be joined by J. Stryker Meyer, columnist for the North County Times, and Ken Leighton, columnist for The Coast News.

Guests will be Victoria Munoz Richart, president of MiraCosta College, who will share her perspective and vision for the college. Also appearing are two Vista Unified School District board members who will discuss the pros and cons of the district's plan to build a new magnet high school in eastern Oceanside. Representing the opposition to the plan is Dr. Stephen Guffanti and speaking in favor is David Hubbard.

For replay days and times, visit http://www.koct.org and click on Schedule.

Travel to see the poppy fields

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside Senior Center's travel group, "Happy Wanderers," will visit Antelope Valley to see the California poppy fields on April 10. Cost is $54 and includes round-trip transportation and a stop at Blum Ranch, encompassing 60 acres of fruit trees and honey-production beehives. Next, you'll visit the "Cat House," an exotic feline habitat consisting of a wide variety of wild cats in the desert zoo. Lunch is at the Red Lobster Restaurant before departing for a dazzling array of poppies and wildflowers in Antelope Valley. Bring cameras. Reservation deadline is Feb. 1. Call (760) 435-5250.

Happy Wanderers visits Buffalo Bill's

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside Senior Center's travel group, "Happy Wanderers," will visit Buffalo Bill's Hotel and Casino Feb. 25 to 27. Cost is $78 per person double occupancy and includes round-trip transportation, hotel accommodations, two free buffets, baggage handling and gaming at three casinos. Reservation deadline is Feb. 2. Call (760) 435-5250.

Free recording sessions offered

OCEANSIDE -- MiraCosta College offers free recording sessions for local musical groups of any style at the college's Oceanside campus, 1 Barnard Drive. Musical artists are encouraged to take advantage of one three-hour recording to provide practice opportunities for the college's recording arts students. E-mail ktbrown@miracosta.edu.

Progressive Democrats to meet

VISTA -- Progressive Democrats of San Diego will hold a special New Year planning meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Vista Public Library Community Room, 700 Eucalyptus Ave. The group will elect new officers, create new committees and make plans for the coming two years, including the critical presidential election. The meeting is open to the public and there is free parking. Call (760) 295-1986 or e-mail reejones@cox.net.

Volunteers sought for pre-hospice program

ESCONDIDO -- The Elizabeth Hospice seeks caring people to be a part of its winter volunteer training class for the Transitions Program. The class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 3, 10 and 17 at the hospice office, 150 W. Crest St. The training is free and open to the public.

The Transitions Program is pre-hospice supportive care for patients and families. Volunteers help with letter writing, respite breaks for caregivers, grocery shopping and running errands. Volunteers help with normal day-to-day activities that the patient may not have the energy or focus to do at this point in his or her illness.

For information or to register for the volunteer training class, call the coordinator at (760) 737-2050.

Watercolor class to begin Feb. 3

ESCONDIDO -- Local watercolor artist Tom Tiedeman will teach "Watercolor Fundamentals" through the Palomar College Venture Program. The class is open to students of all skill levels. Students can learn numerous techniques and paint several smaller projects that will help them to develop a more complete project.

The two-part class will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10 at the college's Escondido Education Center, 1951 E. Valley Parkway. Cost is $60. To enroll, call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2702.

To ask about beginner watercolor kits and materials, call Tiedeman at (760) 743-1474 or go to http://www.arttom.com.

Museum to host 'Playing With Time' exhibit

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Natural History Museum will challenge visitors to slow time down or speed it up to explore the natural world as never seen before in a new exhibition, "Playing With Time," from Feb. 3 through April 29.

Visitors can experiment with high-speed photography, time-lapse videos, natural records of change like eroded rocks and lake cores and other "time-shifting" techniques to discover the changes that take place in the world beyond their perception.

Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Admission is $6 to $11; free for members. Information: (619) 232-3821, http://www.sdnhm.org.

Pastel Society to host demonstration

SAN DIEGO -- The Pastel Society of San Diego will meet at 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Mission Valley Branch Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway.

Award-winning Escondido artist and teacher Cathy Carey will demonstrate her philosophy of color. For information, call (619) 470-7117.

OGHS class of 1967 to hold reunion

ESCONDIDO -- The Orange Glen High School class of 1967 reunion committee will hold its 40-year reunion this summer, July 13 through 15. The committee is looking for fellow classmates. Send mailing information to Mindy (Wagner) Wilson at 1230 Wren Glen, Escondido, CA 92026; or e-mail melinda.wilson@cox.net.

Courthouse volunteers sought

SAN DIEGO -- Volunteers are needed to staff the information desk at the Superior Court of California, Hall of Justice, in downtown San Diego one morning or afternoon a week. Training and parking are provided. For information, call Julie Myres at (619) 531-3489.