ESCONDIDO -- The Cougar Athletic Club will host guest speaker John Mallinger, a member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour, when it holds its quarterly breakfast meeting Dec. 22 at Cocina del Charro restaurant, 525 N. Quince St.

Mallinger is a 1997 graduate of Escondido High School, who recently completed his first season on the PGA Tour by winning more than $1.6 million and finishing among the top 55 money winners on the tour. He was a successful golfer at Long Beach State before turning pro.

The club is open to former Escondido High School athletes, coaches, teachers, administrators, counselors and friends. Fellowship will begin at 8:30 a.m., with breakfast at 9:15, followed by the speaker. Buffet breakfast is $11.

Information: George Cordry, (760) 751-1750.

History center open house on tap

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido History Center will host an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 29. See historical photographs and learn about Escondido's development in the Santa Fe Depot, see the Victorian Country Home decorated for the holidays, view the model train layout in the railroad car and observe a demonstration at the Bandy Blacksmith Shop. There will be door prizes and refreshments.

Since 1956, the Escondido History Center has worked to preserve the history of the "hidden valley." The center has collected and maintains thousands of artifacts, documents and photographs that collectively tell Escondido's story. The Escondido History Center is in Grape Day Park at 321 N. Broadway. Information: (760) 743-8207.

Partners of Palomar Salon breakfast set

ESCONDIDO -- Partners of Palomar Salon No. 621 will host its Fifth Sunday of the Month Breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 30 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Park Ave. The menu will be eggs to order, sausage, pancakes, fruit, juice and coffee. Cost is $5. Proceeds from the event will benefit children with cystic fibrosis, as well as lung and other respiratory illnesses. Information: (760) 741-1813.

Escondido Arts Partnership to host show

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Arts Partnership will start the year with a members-only show called "Portrait of the Artists" from Jan. 18 through Feb. 1 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, 142 W. Grand Ave. Receiving dates are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11 and 12. An artists' reception will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Jan. 19. Information: (760) 480-4101, http://www.escondidoarts.org.

Palomar College adds more foreign language classes

NORTH COUNTY -- Palomar College's Spring 2008 class schedule includes several new sections of foreign language classes, including a brand new Spanish video course. Responding to increased demand, the Foreign Languages Department has added classes in French, Italian and Spanish. Many courses are offered at both the San Marcos and Escondido campuses, as well as online and through Palomar College Television (PCTV).

For information about the online or video classes, call Kathleen Sheahan at (760) 744-1150, Ext. 3268; Carlos Pedroza at Ext. 2260; or Palomar College Television at Ext. 2431.

For information about these classes or about Palomar's foreign languages program, call (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2390. Students may enroll online at http://www.palomar.edu. Spring semester classes begin Jan. 22.

Computer help offered to seniors

ESCONDIDO -- Experienced instructors offer one-on-one tutoring in the Senior Service Council computer lab at the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway, in the Joslyn Senior Center complex.

Learn basic computer skills on a PC or Apple computer, as well as applications such as e-mail, the Internet, word processing, spreadsheets and PowerPoint. Cost is $5 per hour. Call (760) 480-0611 for an appointment.

Intermountain fire appoints new president

NORTH COUNTY -- The board of directors of the Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department, which serves a 125-square-mile area east and northeast of Ramona, has appointed fellow board member Charles Teichert Jr. to serve as its new president. He replaces longtime board member and President John York, who stepped down due to pressures of his business, which now requires frequent travel.

Teichert moved to Ramona four years ago after serving 40 years in the fire service and legislature of Greenwich, Conn. He served 25 years as a line officer and chief in a large joint volunteer and paid fire department that had eight stations and 300 paid and volunteer firefighters. Teichert is active in the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts, Ramona Senior Center and the Ramona Community Theater. Information: http://www.Intermountainfire.org.

Library to offer free computer classes

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook branch of the San Diego County Library will offer free computer classes to help library users feel more comfortable with the electronic media services the library offers. The classes will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 3 and 17 at the library, 124 S. Mission Road. Preregistration is required.

The Jan. 3 class, "An Introduction to Library Computer Skills," will cover how to use the library computers to find and order books, what the SD Circuit is and how to use it, how to log on to the Internet at the library and easy tools to use to search for information on the Internet.

The Jan. 17 class will be "An Introduction to Premium Web Resources." The San Diego County Library offers 35 subscription databases free for use at home or at the library. This class will introduce three databases for assistance with homework, and is an excellent class for parents who are involved in home-schooling programs.

To sign up for either class, call the Fallbrook Library at (760) 728-2373 and ask for Nancy Sikorski or Ann Jones.

Fallbrook Chamber dinner set for Jan. 19

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce will host its 63rd annual recognition and installation dinner Jan. 19 at the San Luis Rey Officers Club at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The theme is "An Evening on the Orient Express."

During the evening, awards will be given for Citizen of the Year, Excellence in Large Business and Excellence in Small Business.

Cocktail hour is at 5 p.m., followed by opening ceremonies at 6:15 and dinner and fanfare at 6:30. Black-tie is optional, and 1930s era attire is encouraged. Cost is $75 per person. Information: (760) 728-5845.

Gifts needed for homeless, at-risk teens

OCEANSIDE -- StandUp For Kids is asking for donations of gift certificates or cash donations for homeless and at-risk teens. Stand Up For Kids is a national organization that exists to reach out to the at-risk/street youths in 30 cities across the nation. It was founded in 1987 by a young Naval Lt. Richard Koca while he was stationed in San Diego. The local office is in Oceanside at 1905 Apple Street and is run strictly by volunteers. Information: (760) 712-9273, Oceanside@standupforkids.org.

Pets need gifts, too

OCEANSIDE -- The North County Humane Society will hold a special holiday drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 22 at Kahoots Pet Store, 3734 Mission Ave., Suite 108. NCHS is asking for donations of dog/cat toys, blankets, towels, carpet squares, leashes, cat/dog treats, double-knotted rawhide bones or anything else an animal would like. Monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. Information: (760) 757-4357, Ext. 1230; http://www.nchumane.org.

Dentist collecting for food bank

VISTA -- Dr. Ginger Hansen is holding a food drive for the North County Food Bank through Dec. 30. Nonperishable foods can be dropped off at 1235 W. Vista Way, Suite F. Monetary donations should be made payable to the North County Food Bank. Suggested donations include canned meats, soup, vegetables, fruit, stew, pork and beans, peanut butter and jelly, flour, coffee, dry milk, cereal, rice, sugar, tea, pinto beans and oatmeal. Other donations needed are diapers, baby food and cereals and hygiene items. Call (760) 940-0366.

LifeWorks Spiritual Center collects for military families

CARLSBAD -- LifeWorks Spiritual Center is collecting diapers and wipes for children of Camp Pendleton families. All sizes are needed. Monetary donations can be made payable to LifeWorks Spiritual Center. Donations can be dropped off at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Call (760) 845-7092 or (760) 815-9462.

Legoland to offer free entry for firefighters

CARLSBAD -- Legoland will offer free admission to emergency personnel and family through Dec. 25. All active emergency personnel with valid identification and up to three immediate family members can enjoy a complimentary day at the 128-acre family theme park. Call (760) 745-4741; http://www.sandiegonorth.com.

Newcomers to hold meeting

CARLSBAD -- Carlsbad Newcomers will get together for its monthly meeting starting with a social time at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 2 at Heritage Hall in Magee Park, 2650 Garfield St. The meeting will begin at 10:15 a.m. Two guest speakers will discuss local antique treasure hunting and the various outlets for searches. Milane Christiansen, a former owner of BookWorks in Del Mar, art and book collector, and Gordon Monteath, furniture refinisher and art collector, will discuss tips on the best approaches to antiques and how to find them.

Gardeners to meet Jan. 4

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 at Heritage Hall in Magee Park, 2650 Garfield St. Howard Bishop, owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited nature store in Carlsbad, will discuss how to attract and feed birds in the garden. Information: (760) 494-7774; http://www.wbu.com/Carlsbad; carlsbadgardenclub@hotmail.com.

Opera competition set for Feb. 23

CARLSBAD -- Singers who specialize in opera are invited to compete in the Carlsbad to Karlovy Vary Vocal Competition from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 23. Participants will vie for selection as the Carlsbad Sister City representative to the International Antonin Dvorak Vocal Competition in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic in November. A judges panel of distinguished members of the Southern California Vocal music community will select first-, second- and third-place winners and two honorable mention awards; all awards feature a cash prize. The first place winner also will receive travel expenses and entry fees to take part in the Karlovy Vary's Dvorak Vocal Competition.

Entry applications and guidelines for the competition are available at http://www.carlsbadca.gov/arts or by request from the Cultural Arts Office, (760) 434-2920. Eligibility requirements include past or current training in operatic repertoire, age limits of 18 to 30 for women and 18 to 32 for men, and residence in one of the following eight California counties: San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, Ventura or Santa Barbara.

Diet planning for seniors offered

CARLSBAD -- Tri-City Hospital Medical Center dieticians will provide individual nutritional planning for seniors from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Call (760) 602-4650.

Caregivers meet Wednesdays

CARLSBAD -- Brighton Gardens of Carlsbad will host the caregiver support group facilitated by licensed therapist and author Sandy Braff at 6 p.m. each first and third Wednesday at the facility's second floor "Country Kitchen," 3140 El Camino Real. Call (760) 720-9898.

Senior writers meet weekly

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.

Senior center hosts bingo

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts games of bingo from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays at the center, 799 Pine Ave. Bingo game packets stop selling at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Carlsbad Senior Citizens Association. Call (760) 602-4650.

Guitar sounds Christmas concert

ENCINITAS -- Bethlehem Lutheran Church will present the guitar ensemble Peter Pupping Band performing traditional and Latin styles, with a bit of Celtic and classical music and beautiful jazz arrangements of some favorite Christmas songs at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the church, 925 Balour Drive. The band also will play music from its upcoming 2008 release "Sea Journey." Cost is $20. Information: (760) 943-0755; bobbie@guitarsounds.com

College registering for Spring 2008

CARDIFF --- Registration for spring semester at MiraCosta College is just around the corner. Second-priority enrollment takes place through Jan. 21 and is open to returning students; first-time college students who have not completed testing, orientation and advisement; students new to MiraCosta who have prior college credit; and all first-priority students who have not yet enrolled or who wish to add/drop classes. Cost is $20 per unit for California residents. Call (760) 795-6615 or e-mail pio@miracosta.edu. Register in person at the San Elijo campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., or online at http://www.miracosta.edu.

Community band on KPBS Jan. 21

ENCINITAS -- The Coastal Communities Concert Band of Encinitas' new DVD documentary will air on KPBS TV at 10 p.m. Jan. 21.

Senior legal services offered

ENCINITAS -- Del Mar Community Connections offers many legal services (advanced health care directive, power of attorney, wills, and more) free for seniors 60 and older in the 92014 ZIP code area. Private consultations with attorney from Elder Law & Advocacy are offered by appointment only. Call (858) 792-7565 to reserve.

Volunteer drivers for seniors needed

ENCINITAS -- The Encinitas Senior Center's Out & About Program is seeking volunteer drivers to take senior citizens to the pharmacy, Senior Center, doctor appointments and grocery store. Volunteers will be responsible for transporting senior citizens in their own private vehicle and will be reimbursed the current annual IRS rate per mile. Call (760) 943-2256 to request an application.

Toastmasters meet Thursdays

ENCINITAS -- Encinitas Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Atria retirement center, 504 S. El Camino Real. The group's mission is to assist others in improving his or her public speaking skills. Information: (760) 271-5812; http://encinitastoastmasters.org.

Class offers divorce insight

CARDIFF -- MiraCosta College's Community Services Program will offer the program for those who want to learn more about the process of divorce. "Second Saturday" is offered the second Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 201 of MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. "Second Saturday" explores the legal, financial, psychological and social issues of divorce; discusses community resources available to those contemplating divorce; allows participants to meet others experiencing similar life changes; and more. Registration for "Second Saturday" is on-site from 8 to 8:30 a.m.; no pre-registration required. Enrollment is on a first-come basis. Cost is $45. Scholarships are available by request prior to the seminar. Call (858) 792-0524, (760) 736-1660.