RAMONA —- CowHorse Ranch in Ramona will offer training for the California High School Rodeo for participants in District 8 beginning Aug. 5. Training will include cutting and all aspects of cowhorse work. The ranch has live cattle and a mechanical cow to work on technique and cowhorse skills for both horse and rider.

For information, call John at (760) 789-7944 or Stephanie at (760) 310-3064. For directions, visit www.cowhorseranch.com.

Unity Coalition to meet Aug. 6

ESCONDIDO —— The North County Unity Coalition will meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 6 at the Communication Workers of America Local 9511 Union Hall at 1525 Simpson Way. The coalition serves to organize and coordinate local political action efforts in North San Diego, southwest Riverside and southern Orange counties. It provides grassroots resources for progressive candidates seeking office at all levels of government. For information, call Martha Sullivan at (858) 676-0639 or e-mail ForDemocracy@aol.com.

Democratic clubs to host fund-raiser

ESCONDIDO —— The Big Blue BBQ & Live Band Fund-raiser, sponsored by the Escondido and San Marcos-Vista Democratic Clubs, the Progressive Democrats of San Diego and the 2nd Century Project, will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Felicita Park, Picnic Area 6.

Special guests will include state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides; Francine Busby, candidate for the 50th Congressional District; Jeeni Criscenzo, candidate for the 49th Congressional District; and Laurel Nicholson, candidate for the 66th Assembly District. Rick Bolanos, a Vietnam veteran and Democratic activist, is tentatively scheduled to attend.

The menu will be traditional barbecue fare and veggie burgers. Music will be provided by Giannini's Ghost. For tickets, call (760) 839-5610 or visit www.escondidodems.com.

Lab rescue group plans events

Labrador Rescuers will hold Labrador retriever adoptions from 11 am. to 2 p.m. Aug. 6 at Muttropolis, 227 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach.

In addition, the organization will hold its second Motorcycle Dog Run on Aug. 21. The run will begin at 9 a.m. at The Shops at Mission Viejo and end at Area 2 of San Dieguito County Park in Encinitas. Non-riders are welcome.

For information, visit www.labrescuers.org.

Talent Showcase set for Aug. 6

TEMECULA —— The 16th annual Temecula Valley Talent Showcase will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Temecula Community Recreation Center's Thomas H. Langley Amphitheatre, 30875 Rancho Vista Road. Contestants from throughout the Inland Empire and North County areas will compete for cash prizes in child, teen, adult, dance and instrumental music categories.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $12; $8 for seniors and students. Children younger than 12 will be admitted free. Proceeds will benefit Arts Council of Temecula Valley arts programs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, picnic dinners and low-back folding chairs for outdoor seating. Early arrival is suggested as the event is expected to sell out.

For information and tickets, call (951) 695-ARTS.

New entrepreneurs can learn the ropes

SAN DIEGO —— The Women's Business Center of California, a nonprofit affiliate of National University, will present "Business Basics 101," a two-session certificate program for new entrepreneurs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 6 and 13 at its facility, 9388 Lightwave Ave. Cost is $120. Students can learn the basics of a winning business plan, how to conduct competitive research and strategies for launching a successful business. For information, visit http://wbcc.nu.edu. To register, call (619) 563-7118.

Parents Without Partners meetings set

SAN MARCOS —— Parents Without Partners, North County Chapter 437, will host two new-membership meetings from 1 to 2 p.m. Aug. 7 and 21 at Starbucks Coffee off of Nordahl Road. The group plans camping trips, parties, dinners and other events. Attendees are welcome to bring their children. For information, call Dani Lindsey at (760) 736-2686.

Contemporary Women to meet

SAN MARCOS —— The Contemporary Women of North County will hold a general business meeting Aug. 8 at the Wood House in Woodland Park, 1148 Rock Springs Road. Social time will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the meeting at 6:30. For information, call Laura at (760) 945-8699 or visit www.cwonc.org.

Group to hold dog adoptions

OCEANSIDE —— St. Nicholas Hope for Animals will hold a dog adoption event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at Petsmart, 3420 Marron Road.

Biotechnology certificate information available

SAN MARCOS —— Cal State San Marcos Extended Studies will host an open house to share information about its Biotechnology Laboratory Technician certificate program from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 9 in Room 106 of the Foundation Classroom Building on the CSUSM campus.

The 17-unit program is designed to prepare participants for entry-level positions as lab technicians in San Diego's growing biotechnology industry. Courses are scheduled so candidates can complete their certificates in less than two years, provided that prerequisites have been met.

The next class in the program, "Biotech/Pharma Industry Laboratories" (BIOL E359), will begin Sept. 15.

To R.S.V.P. for the open house and receive free parking, call Extended Studies at (760) 750-4020 by Aug. 8. For information and/or an application packet for the program, call Dr. Al Kern at (750) 750-8038.

Genealogical Society meetings set

CARLSBAD —— The North San Diego County Genealogical Society will hold a business and sharing meeting at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 in the Carlsbad City Council chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

At 1 p.m. that day at the same location, the society's Computer-oriented Genealogy Group will meet to hear former computer professor Dorothy Miller speak on "Excel at Genealogy," using Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet program, in genealogical data research.

Both events are free and open to nonmembers. For information about the society, call (858) 509-4937. For information about the computer group, call (760) 744-7530.

Women's networking group to meet

LAKE SAN MARCOS —— North County Women in Networking will meet from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Lake San Marcos Country Club, 1750 San Pablo Drive. Cost of $16 for lunch includes tax and gratuity.

Guest speaker Jann MacCollam of the World Emergency Relief Organization will share her insights on living in a poverty-stricken world.

NCWIN is an organization of women dedicated to the development and enhancement of members' potential through professional, philanthropic and social programs. For information, call Victoria at (760) 597-0005.

Dinner-dance planned for senior singles

ESCONDIDO —— The North County Singles Club will host a luau dinner-dance for seniors ages 55 and older at 5 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Escondido Country Club. The group organizes activities for senior singles —— primarily dances Friday evenings at the Vista Elks Lodge. Reservations are required for all events. Call Geri at (760) 942-2719.

Golf tourney to benefit Cancer for College

FALLBROOK —— Cancer for College, a North County charity that provides college scholarships to current and former cancer patients, will host its 12th annual charity golf tournament and silent auction Aug. 26 at the Pala Mesa Golf Resort in Fallbrook.

Cost of $195 per golfer includes dinner. Individual dinner tickets cost $95 and must be purchased in advance.

Last year's event, hosted by comedian Will Ferrell, raised more than $40,000 for Cancer for College. This year's dinner banquet will feature stand-up comedian Sean Kent, a cancer survivor. Silent auction items will include a signed and framed photo of Lance Armstrong, a Padres gift basket with signed memorabilia and game tickets, and a golf/wine trip to New Zealand. Scholarship winners will be introduced and presented with their scholarship checks during the banquet.

To participate or submit a scholarship application for next year, call Craig Pollard at (760) 599-9339.

RB Chorale invites new members

NORTH COUNTY —— The RB Chorale is recruiting talented new members. Especially needed are tenors, bass/baritones and women's voices to sing songs from Broadway musicals, as well as other popular songs. Auditions are not required.

Rehearsals will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 6 at Community Reform Church, 777 W. Felicita Ave., Escondido. Registration for new members will be held at 7 p.m.

For information, call Earl Chinn at (858) 487-0434 or Richard Morgan at (858) 487-2732 or visit www.RBChorale.org.