Music Men to perform April 26

OCEANSIDE -- The Music Men barbershop chorus will present "Songs of Celebration" at 2 p.m. April 26 at the Truax Performing Arts Center at El Camino High School, 400 Rancho del Oro Drive.

Directed by John Hulbert, the group will celebrate in song many favorite holidays, as well as key dates in America's history, and will sing songs Americans have enjoyed for years. Joining the 35-man Music Men Chorus and headlining the quartet segment of this year's 54th annual show will be Masterpiece, whose members are International Gold Medal winners. Also appearing will be the Barbershop Harmony Society's Far Western District 2007 Senior Quartet champions California Crossroads.

Tickets are $25 for Golden Circle seating and $18 for general reserved seating. For tickets, call Norma Stern at (760) 726-5615. Visit http://www.musicmenchorus.org.

Beta Sigma Phis to celebrate Founder's Day

ESCONDIDO -- The Hidden Valley Vista Council of Beta Sigma Phi International will celebrate Founder's Day: Sing It Loud! A Symphony On Parade beginning at 10 a.m. April 26 at the Escondido Country Club in the Mountain Room, 1800 Country Club Lane. Cost is $21 per person.

The Hidden Valley Vista Council will confer the Ritual of Jewels, Order of the Rose and Golden Circle rituals and install new officers for the coming year. All Beta Sigma Phi members -- active, inactive, on leave, members-at-large, transferees and guests -- are invited. Reserve to (760) 743-3459.

Genealogical society to meet

CARLSBAD -- The North San Diego County Genealogical Society will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 22 in the Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Dr. Stephen Baird, professor of clinical pathology at UC San Diego School of Medicine, will speak on "DNA for Dummies" and will explain how DNA sequences relate to inheritance of various traits, both normal and disease-related. Free. Call (760) 630-5720.

Water district seeks volunteers for Earth Day program

ENCINITAS -- The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is seeking volunteers to help celebrate Earth Day from 9 a.m. to noon April 19 at the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve.

The goal is to protect the natural environment in and around the Escondido Creek watershed, by picking up trash and removing debris. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Meet in the main parking lot of the reserve; refreshments and sunscreen provided. Educational booths will be available, and Project Wildlife members will make a presentation at 11:30 a.m., featuring local animals that live in and around the Reserve.

Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, long-sleeve shirt and long pants. Volunteers are asked to carpool, as parking is limited. To volunteer, register by calling (760) 632-4212 or by sending an e-mail to efrrfriends@olivenhain.com. All volunteers will be asked to sign a volunteer waiver form. Call (760) 632-4212.

North County LGBT Coalition has inaugural event

OCEANSIDE -- The North County LGBT Coalition will have its first social event from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 25 in the Oceanside City Hall Community Room, 300 N. Coast Highway. It will feature a DJ, musical guest Jianda, food and raffles, as well as space for groups and organizations to display their materials.

Tickets are $5 per person, and proceeds finance the North County LGBT presence at the San Diego Pride Parade and Festival 2008 and pay for the Coalition to register as a nonprofit organization. There will be a drawing for two nights free at Running Springs Cabin near Lake Arrowhead. Information: (760) 672-1848; http://www.northcountylgbtcoalitionforce.org.

Handweavers guild to meet

ESCONDIDO -- The Palomar Handweavers Guild will meet from 7-9 p.m. April 22 at a members' home. Guild members will do a spinning demonstration. They will also show some of the different yarns and effects that can be achieved by plying different strands together. This is another opportunity for fiber folks to get together and share. Beginners welcome. This guild includes weavers, spinners, knitters, basketmakers, and anyone interested in fiber arts. Information: Mimi Loutrel, (760) 533-5857; http://www.palomarweavers.org.

Earth Day celebration planned

VISTA -- An Earth Day celebration has been set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at Alta Vista Gardens located in Brengle Terrace Park.

Howard Bishop from Wild Birds Unlimited in Carlsbad will have products and information to create backyard habitats. Paula White will speak on what plants will attract birds and butterflies and how to certify a yard as a natural wildlife habitat. Nancy Jones will discuss worms and why they are good for the garden.

The garden house will have an exhibit of the first juried photo contest winners from the City of Vista. There also will be a children's bird and butterfly art contest. Call (760) 945-3954.

Battle of the Bands set for April 20

OCEANSIDE -- "Remix -- A Celebration of Sober and Drug-Free Life Choices Battle of the Bands," sponsored by the North Coastal Prevention Coalition, will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. April 20 at the Oceanside Bandshell.

Victoria Carlborg, media/prevention specialist for the North County Prevention Coalition, said this is the fourth year for the battle of the bands, but it has always been at the high schools. She said she hopes moving it to the bandshell will give the event more exposure. Organizers are hoping for four bands in the competition, she said. Free. Call (760) 407-1220, Ext. 143.

Golf tournament to benefit Children's Heart Foundation

CARLSBAD -- Amateur golfer and Children's Heart Foundation national spokesperson MacKinzie Kline, 16, who was born with a congenital heart defect, will host the 2008 Mac Kline Golf Classic benefiting the Children's Heart Foundation April 25.

Kline underwent her first of two open-heart surgeries at 11 weeks old and was told she would never be able to be a "normal" kid. She has proven countless doctors wrong and exceeded everyone's expectations by becoming one of the most talked-about young golfers of her time. Since becoming the CHF's national spokesperson in 2002 at age 10, "Mac" has helped raise more than $1 million for congenital heart research on behalf of CHF.

The tournament takes place at The Crossings at Carlsbad at 5800 The Crossings Drive. Shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Live and silent auction, hole-in-one contest, raffle prizes, vacation getaways, chances to win golf equipment or a new car.

Cost is $375 per individual, $1,500 per foursome; $75 dinner only. Information: Erica Stimac, (630) 933-9790; Erica@hensonconsulting.com.

Guests still sought for 50th anniversary celebration

CARLSBAD -- All 50 years of students, staff and guests, but no current high school students are being sought for the Carlsbad High School's 50th anniversary dinner dance taking place from 6 p.m. to midnight April 25 at the South Mesa Club., Camp Pendleton. Ask for directions when you arrive at the Main Gate. No-host cocktails will be served from 6 to 7 p.m. and and Asian buffet dinner will be served from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by dancing ot the music of The Langen Brothers from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Cost is $45 per person for those who pre-register and pay by April 22. Mail checks to CHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2404, Carlsbad. CA 92018. Pre-register and pay at the door, cost is $55, cash or check only, no credit cards.

Information: Ginny Krepps Unaue, (760) 439-0197 or e-mail gunaue@sbcglobal.net or Sheila Allen at (760) 212-2479 or e-mail sdledler@aol.com.

Marble shooters invited to enter tournament

ESCONDIDO -- Chapter 472 of the Vietnam Veterans of America will host its first countywide Marble Tournament from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. All proceeds will go to Operation Homefront.

The tournament is open to marble shooters of all ages. All participants will receive a bag of marbles. Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place winners in each age division. First- and second-place winners will go on to compete in a championship tournament July 5 at the San Diego County Fair. They also will get free admission to the fair that day.

A processing fee of $3, plus a donation, is required to participate. Donations are ages 5-14, any donation; ages 15-29, $15; ages 30-59, $20; and ages 60 and older, $15.

Register to George Prather, (760) 743-3622; or Don Levette, (619) 292-1667.

Tax assistance offered

NORTH COUNTY -- Interfaith Community Services and North County Lifeline are participating as sites for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and will offer free tax preparation for those needing to file a return in order to receive the stimulus package. Qualified individuals receiving Social Security benefits or Veterans' benefits only can take advantage of this service being offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25. Appointments are required. Contact:

- Interfaith Community Services, 550 W. Washington Ave., Escondido, (760) 489-6380.

- North County Lifeline, 200 Michigan Ave., Vista, (760) 726-4900.

Fallbrook wins in cribbage match

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook Senior Center cribbage team made it seem easy in the March Senior Challenge Cribbage match. They won 74 games to Oceanside's 52 wins. Seven of the top nine places went to members of the Fallbrook team. Leading the way was Mike Duffy, who won six games with two skunks. In second place was Tom Waterbury with six wins but one skunk, edging out Ed Wozniak who also had six wins but no skunks for second place. Fourth place went to Tom Bongard. The next top Oceanside player was Carl Troupe in fifth place with five wins.

The monthly matches are held at 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Vista Elks Lodge at 1947 E Vista Way. This month's match will be April 24.

People do not need to live in Oceanside or Fallbrook to play. Information: Eileen Haworth, (760) 940-1475, or e-mail nccribbage@aol.com.

Bridal show coming to San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- Bridal Bazaar will host San Diego's "Largest Spring Bridal Show" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. In one day, couples can meet more than 200 of the area's wedding professionals. Bridal Bazaar has it all, from invitations to honeymoon locations, with a broad range of options to fit every couple's style, personality and budget.

Couples can explore dozens of ceremony and reception sites, meet photographers, DJs and videographers, see the latest trends in flowers and d©cor, taste cake and catering options and attend San Diego's largest bridal fashion show. The fashion show starts at 11:30 a.m., 1 and 2:45 p.m., featuring the latest designs for the entire wedding party from Alfred Angelo Bridal, Brides by Demetrios, Christina's Mother of the Bride, David's Bridal, Friar Tux Shop and MW Tux. There will be chances to win prizes, including 1-carat total weight diamond earrings from John Franklin Jewelers.

Admission is $10. Tickets and discount coupons are available. Information: (760) 334-5500; http://www.BridalBazaar.com.

Benefit concert postponed

SAN DIEGO -- A benefit concert and silent auction that had been scheduled for April 19 at the Institute of the Americas on the UC San Diego campus, to help Lee, a schizophrenic who has undergone a lifetime of abuse, has been postponed. Media, friends and supporters of http://www.TheWillToLive.Org will be notified as soon as a new date and venue are secured.

Proceeds from the event were to have been used to send Lee to a facility that Lee's sister, Sherry, found in Minnesota that was able to treat all his conditions and rehabilitate him to the point where the prognosis is positive for him to go forward with a meaningful life. The facility is called the Vinland Center, and they have a spot reserved for Lee. This placement costs $60,000, money that Lee does not have. The community is rallying behind Lee, led by his sister Sherry and recording artists Rebeca and David Randle.