Free hikes offered at Daley Ranch

ESCONDIDO -- Free guided nature hikes are offered at Daley Ranch. All trails include steep and/or slippery sections. Bring at least two liters of water; wear a hat, sunscreen and hiking boots or treaded footwear. Youths under 18 must be with an adult. No pets. Unless otherwise noted, meet at the Daley Ranch entrance on La Honda Drive. A shuttle with handicapped accessibility runs Sundays.

The hike schedule and trail map are online at www.ci.escondido.ca.us. Reserve to (760) 839-4680. Upcoming hikes:

- 6 p.m. Aug. 12 and 26, "Stroll Around the Ranch." Naturalist Michelle Capodice will lead a leisurely hike to the Ranch House and discuss the local plants and animals along the way.

- 9 a.m. Aug. 13 and 25, "Caballo Caballeros." Naturalist Dorothea Boughdadly will lead a three- to four-hour horseback ride beginning at the Caballo entrance to Daley Ranch. Riders need to bring their own trail horses (with halter for taking a break at the Ranch House), water, helmet and boots. Meet at the Caballo Trailhead.

- 7:30 a.m. Aug. 14, "Plants in the Meadow." Naturalist James Dillane will seek out the unusual plants that grow in the Jack Creek Meadow Loop on Daley Ranch.

- 6 a.m. Aug. 16, "Ladies Hike." Women (and men, too) are invited to take a guided nature hike with naturalist D.J. Summers. See what is in bloom and learn about the wildlife at the ranch.

- 8 a.m. Aug. 23, "Red Diamond Rattlesnakes." Naturalist Jack Pomeroy will lead a hike over Cougar Ridge beginning at the Cougar Pass parking lot. He will talk about the rocks, common plants and rattlesnakes on this moderately strenuous, 4-mile hike.

- 9 a.m. Aug. 30, "Tour of the Ponds." Naturalist Katya Mclane will lead this moderately strenuous 4-mile hike and visit the ponds on Daley Ranch.

- 3 p.m. Aug. 31, "Having Fun on the Trails." Naturalist and biologist Carol Stanford will lead a 4-plus-mile hike and discuss plants and animals on the ranch.

Documentary 'One' will be shown

ESCONDIDO -- A new documentary titled "One" will be shown at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 and 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Creative Center for Spiritual Living, 1330 E. Valley Parkway, Suite G.

In "One," prominent luminaries answer some of life's profound questions. A discussion will follow. Suggested donation is $10. Call (760) 741-0853.

Romance writers group to meet

ESCONDIDO -- Romance Writers of America, San Diego Chapter, will meet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 16 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St.

Topic of the morning session will be "The Missing Ingredients in the Writing Process: Tips That Can Help." Author and motivational speaker Taylor Wilshire will share stories of her success and the ingredients needed to inspire, motivate and enlighten writers to move forward in the direction of a top-selling book.

The afternoon session will include a recap of the RWA National Conference.

Admission is $7 at the door; free for those who bring a potluck item. Information: www.rwasd.com.

History discussion set for Aug. 19

ESCONDIDO -- The San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association will sponsor a free history discussion on Gen. Zachary Taylor, the 13th president of the United States, at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 in the second-floor board room of the Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St. Call Ron Hinrichs at (760) 746-8380.

Raccoons featured in Blue Sky program

POWAY -- Have an up-close encounter with the strong and agile raccoon at a program from 6:45 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Aug. 23 at Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, Espola Road.

Learn all about the raccoon's great hearing, sense of smell and remarkable adaptability. Learn from Project Wildlife what it takes to rehabilitate injured raccoons for return back into the wild.

Refreshments and a rousing sing-along will finish off the evening. The event is suitable for all ages. Dress warmly and bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Reserve at (858) 668-4781 or www.poway.org/bluesky.

Free tai chi class offered

RANCHO BERNARDO -- Palomar College will offer a tuition-free tai chi class for adults of all ages at 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Aug. 27 at the Rancho Bernardo Joslyn Senior Center, 18402 W. Bernard Drive. Call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2155.

Healthy living fair set for Sept. 6

SAN MARCOS -- To promote healthy living, Cal State San Marcos and the San Marcos Community Services Department will present the "Because I Care Community Fair" from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 6 at the San Marcos Senior Center, 111 Richmar Ave.

The free event will offer information to enhance physical and mental health, as well as services for those who provide care to aging family members. There will be educational workshops, a 1-mile walk starting at 9 a.m., arts and crafts, entertainment and a classic car show. Educational workshops topics include healthy eating, caregiver stress, Alzheimer's research, heart disease and veterans benefits.

Information: (760) 744-5535; www.csusm.edu/becauseicare.

Brandeis group to host speaker

POWAY -- The Rancho Bernardo chapter of the Brandeis University National Women's Committee will meet from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 9 at Ner Tamid Synagogue, 15318 Pomerado Road. Monica Medina, director of Outreach & Education for KPBS, will speak.

Cost is $7; $5 for members. To reserve, send checks to Enid Harris, 12868 Camino de la Breccia, San Diego, CA 92128. Call Renee Bloom at (858) 485-1879 or Renee Rosenthal at (858) 451-7889.

Memorial fund honors librarian

VALLEY CENTER -- A memorial fund has been established in memory of librarian/historian Gail Lamb at the Valley Center Historical Society, where she was a longtime research volunteer.

Lamb, who died July 9 at age 66, was Valley Center Librarian and North County Regional Librarian during the 1970s and '80s. A memorial service was held Aug. 2.

Contributions in her memory, which will be placed in an endowment fund, can be sent to the Valley Center History Museum, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082.

Call (760) 749-2993.

Sheriff's station seeks senior volunteers

SAN MARCOS -- The San Marcos Sheriff's Station is seeking new members for its Senior Volunteer Patrol Program. As the "eyes and ears" of the Sheriff's Department, Senior Volunteer Patrol members cover all of San Marcos and other areas of north and south San Diego County.

Applicants must be 50 or older, have a valid driver's license, undergo a background check and have their physician's approval. Candidates then participate in a 72-hour training academy. The next academy will be in September. Call SVP Administrator Don Agostino at (760) 510-5290.

Palomar College enrolling for fall

SAN MARCOS -- Fall semester classes at Palomar College will begin Aug. 25. In addition to traditional semester-length classes, the college offers a variety of learning options, including fast track, self-paced, late start, online and TV classes. Tuition is $20 per credit for state residents.

With two new nursing faculty members, Palomar's expanded nursing program now serves more students, with evening and weekend classes. In computer science and information systems, students can work toward degrees or certificates in database administration, video game programming and web development.

Palomar now provides graduates of its aviation sciences programs the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree in aviation management through a partnership with Southern Illinois University,

The college's radio and television program has courses including television acting and broadcast writing, as well as film and video production and editing. Other offerings include the Geographic Information Systems certificate program, the insurance certificate program, a variety of options in performing and visual arts, and more.

Apply and enroll online at www.palomar.edu or call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2160.

CSUSM Extended Learning announces fall classes

SAN MARCOS -- Cal State San Marcos Extended Learning will offer a variety of classes this fall, including business training courses and certificate programs. Courses aim to improve students' skills in areas such as communication, meeting and event planning, supervision and management, nursing, health care and fitness. For a catalog or to register, call (760) 750-4020 or visit www.csusm.edu/el.

Community theater seeks volunteers

POWAY -- PowPAC, Poway's Community Theatre, is seeking volunteers of all ages in the areas of hospitality, serving refreshments, ushering, lighting and sound design, stage management, set design, construction and painting, costumes and makeup, box office and administration. Training is provided. Information: (858) 486-7569; (858) 679-8085; www.powpac.org.

PPH Child Abuse Program receives donation

NORTH COUNTY -- The Palomar Pomerado Health Child Abuse Program recently received 300 "My Stuff" bags donated by the My Stuff Foundation based in Westlake Village.

Each duffel bag is packed with age-appropriate items, such as toiletries, hats, blankets, stuffed animals and books. They are distributed at the Forensic Health Services office at Palomar Medical Center to victims of child abuse and also at Green Oaks Ranch in Vista when children are being taken into protective custody.

The PPH Child Abuse Program is a nonprofit evaluation center used by law enforcement and other investigative agencies. Call (760) 739-2156.

PPH expresscare provides student physicals

NORTH COUNTY -- Through Sept. 30, Palomar Pomerado Health's new PPH expresscare walk-in health centers are providing back-to-school and sports physical exams for a discounted fee of $25.

Exams are provided by certified family nurse practitioners who work in collaboration with board-certified family physicians affiliated with Palomar Pomerado Health. No appointment is necessary, and each visit averages about 20 minutes. A parent or legal guardian must accompany each child; bring appropriate medical exam forms.

PPH expresscare health centers are in the Albertsons/Sav-on Pharmacy stores at 14340 Penasquitos Drive, Rancho Penasquitos; and at 1509 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. Hours of operation at both locations are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.

PPH expresscare nurse practitioners also treat several common medical conditions, perform various health screenings and administer select vaccinations. Information: www.pphexpresscare.org; (800) 628-2880.