SAN DIEGO - On Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m., the Congregation Beth Am Men's Club invites fathers to bring their children to a dinner featuring San Diego Defensive Lineman Igor Olshansky.

Olshansky will talk about being a Jewish athlete, the Maccabiah Games in San Diego and The San Diego Chargers. Olshansky is the first Soviet-born player in the National Football League. He was born in the Ukraine and his family immigrated to the United States when he was seven years old, settling in San Francisco.

The Olshansky family spoke virtually no English when they arrived in the States, but the Jewish community in San Francisco embraced them and they quickly assimilated in their new home. For several years, Olshansky attended the Chabad-run Hebrew Academy, where he developed a strong Jewish identity.

XX Sports Radio's Scott Kaplan of the Scott and B.R. Show will emcee the event. Each family is asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Chai Lifelines (www.chailifeline.org), an organization that helps critically ill Jewish children.

Tickets are $30 per adult ($25 for Beth Am Men's Club Members) and $6 per child ages two hrough 12. Reservations required by Dec. 1.

For reservations or information, contact Debra at Beth Am, (858) 481-8454 or debra@betham.com or visit www.betham.com.

'The Music Men' to perform

CARLSBAD - "The Music Men," North County's premier a cappella chorus, will be performing their annual holiday show at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Carlsbad Community Church at Jefferson and Pine streets.

"Masterpiece," an all gold-medalist quartet will be featured guests. Also appearing will be the "Gospel Truth Quartet" and "Rhapsody in Red," the Mission Hills High School Show Choir. Quartets from The Music Men Chorus also owill perform. Call (760) 727-8650 to order tickets; $12 for adults, $6 for children younger than 19.

Macintosh group to meet

OCEANSIDE - Podcasting will be the program topic for the meeting of the Oceanside Macintosh User Group at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Oceana Clubhouse Auditorium, 550 Vista Bella. Adam Christianson, who regularly produces a podcast about the Macintosh computer, will discuss the latest information about podcasts, including how to create them.

The first half hour of the monthly meeting features an open question-and-answer period. The group provides a forum for Macintosh computer users of all levels to share knowledge and experience. Members come from throughout North County.Visitors are welcome.Information: www.omug.net or (760) 727-7255.

Genealogical group to meet

CARLSBAD - "Shaking the Myth: Proving or Disproving Family Legend" will be the topic when Certified Genealogist and speaker Jean Wilcox Hibben addresses the North San Diego County Genealogical Society at 10 a.m. Nov. 27 in the Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Way. Kibben, who is pursuing a doctorate in folklore, will talk about adding family folklore to genealogies and then proving the stories to be true, untrue or merely stretched. This program was re-scheduled because the October meeting was cancelled due to the fires. Free, non-members welcome. For information about the society or this event, call (760) 630-5720.

Watch group to gather

VISTA - The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors/Palomar chapter will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Vista Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace. The program will be a "show and tell." Bring a watch or clock and share a story about it. Information: Walter Yahn (760) 598-5352.

Habitat restoration session set for Dec. 1

VISTA - Volunteers will gather for a habitat restoration session from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1 at the Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison St. Workers will assist the San Diego Audubon Society in removing invasive plants and trimming vegetation. Bring water, sun protection and wear sturdy, close-toed shoes. Contact San Diego Audubon at (619) 682-7200 or redfern@sandiegoaudubon.org for more information and to reserve a space.

Holiday arts and crafts fair set

DEL MAR - The Seasons of the Heart "Seaside Holiday Art, Crafts and Home Furnishings Faire" will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 in Bing Crosby Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Drive. More than 150 vendors will be in attendance. Admission is free. Information: Promoters Linda Mulick, (760) 445-1330; Stacy Sidney, (619) 606-0711; seasonsoftheheart@cox.net.

Light the Night walk set for Dec. 1

DEL MAR - The Light the Night Walk to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will take place Dec. 1 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Check-in and festivities are at 2 p.m. and the program and walk are at 4 p.m. The event is open to all. No particular level of fitness is required. The walk route is approximately two miles. There will be entertainment, a kids fun zone, vendor booths, a remembrance ceremony at 3:30 p.m., a balloon ceremony and walk at 4 p.m., with the walk start led by the Army and Navy Academy's Drill Team and Color Guard, and an infield concert from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Horticultural society to meet

DEL MAR - The San Diego Horticultural Society will meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 in Surfside Place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Dutch floral designer Rene van Rems of San Diego will present a program about how to get creative this holiday season through floral decor with California natives.

All of his designs will be auctioned off after the presentation, and proceeds go to the society. His book, "Rene's Bouquets," a guide to Euro-style hand-tied bouquets, will be available for sale and autograph.

Originally from Amsterdam, van Rems has called San Diego home for more than 20 years. He is a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and the Professional Floral Commentators International, and gives design shows, workshops, and seminars throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia on the styling of fresh-cut flowers. For more information, visit www.renevanrems.com. The cookie exchange will follow the live auction. Admission and parking are free. Information: (760) 295-7089 or sdhortsoc.org.

Beta Sigma Phi to have holiday party

SAN MARCOS - The Hidden Valley Vista Council of Beta Sigma Phi International will celebrate its annual Christmas Holiday Party "We're Singing It Loud, Happy Holidays" beginning at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 111 North Twin Oaks Valley Road. Members will bring "Toys for Teens" to be given to children 10 through 15. All Beta Sigma Phi members and guests are invited. For more information, menu choices and prices or to R.S.V.P., call (760) 743-3459 by Dec. 5.

Women's Connection group to meet

SAN MARCOS - "Tis the Season" is the theme of the San Marcos-Vista Women's Connection luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Lake San Marcos Country Club, 1750 San Pablo Drive. Cost is $15, inclusive. The special feature will be "Holiday Fun," featuring the Singing Sisters Joey and Susan entertaining the group with all-time favorite Christmas music.

Speaker will be Arlana Holland, chaplain and bereavement coordinator for Horizon Hospice. Her message will be "Wrapped with Love."

Pianist will be Jewel Turbeville, who also will entertain with Christmas tunes.

The club has no membership or dues. All women are urged to make reservations by Dec. 6 for the luncheon, which is sponsored by Stonecroft International Women's Club. Information: Carolyn, (760) 726-2927, or Muriel, (760) 744-3744.

Singles club plans dinner dance

ESCONDIDO - The North County Singles Club for seniors ages 55 and older will hold its Christmas dinner-dance from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Escondido Country Club, 1800 Country Club Lane. Cost for guests $24.

Bill Harper's Band will provide the music in the Grand Ballroom for dancing. Reservations are required for all events. For information and reservations, call Geri at (760) 942-2719.

Legoland offers free admission to emergency workers

CARLSBAD - Legoland California has announced an offer to show appreciation to all emergency workers who battled the devastating wildland fires that recently ravaged through Southern California.

"LEGOLAND California's Heroic Thanks" begins the day of the annual Lego Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nov. 26 and runs until Dec. 25. All active emergency personnel with valid identification and up to three immediate family members can enjoy a complimentary, fun-filled day at the 128-acre family theme park. Tickets may be distributed only at LEGOLAND ticket booths. Emergency workers must be present in order to receive the complimentary tickets and show valid fire, law enforcement or rescue personnel identification with photo. "LEGOLAND California's Heroic Thanks" theme park tickets must be used the same day they are issued and will only be honored once during the designated time frame. On Nov. 26, local firefighters will join actress, comedienne and best-selling author Jenny McCarthy at LEGOLAND California's fifth annual tree-lighting ceremony dedicated to autism awareness.

Information: http://www.LEGOLAND.com; (760) 918-LEGO.

(Californiae is cq)

Pianist to conduct master classes

SAN DIEGO - The Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego, in cooperation with Californiae Foundation for International Global Arts, will present legendary American pianist Ruth Slenczynska conducting a series of master classes from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Qualcomm "Building Q" Auditorium, 6455 Lusk Blvd. Only 30 slots of 20 minutes will be available. People are encouraged to make applications before Nov. 24. Fee is $60 per slot. For information, contact taiwancenter@gmail.com. or call (858) 560-8884.

Between 3 and 5 p.m. Dec. 2, Slenczynska will give a speech "Personalities from My Past," sharing stories about her crossed paths with a number of historic figures such as Sergey Rachmaninoff, Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz and Seiji Ozawa. Tickets for the speech are $10. Reservations are accepted with advanced payment only until 4 p.m. Nov. 30 by calling (858) 793-0316 between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. or e-mail calfoundinart@sbcglobal.net.

Slenczynska was a student of several great pianists, including Schanabel, Cortot and Rachmaninoff. At the age of 7, she was a recognized "child prodigy" of the 20th century. Now, at age 82, she is still teaching and recording. She has performed in more than 3,000 concerts on five continents. She has been honored by five U.S. Presidents. Her publications include two books and numerous articles in professional journals.

Child advocates needed

SAN DIEGO - San Diego's abused and neglected children need volunteers to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA. All training is provided. Volunteers visit and lend support to the children, interview all parties involved, and make recommendations to the court. Men and bilingual speakers are especially needed. Information sessions are scheduled for Dec. 12 and Jan. 9. Call Voices for Children at (858) 569-2019 or visit www.speakupnow.org.

Local home featured in television show

ESCONDIDO - A new Christmas special coming to HGTV called "What's With That Really Decked Out Christmas House?" premiering Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT will feature the Richenbacher family of Escondido. The house and lawn is covered with so many lights it melted the San Diego power lines - twice in one week. But their decorations don't end there. Every window on the ground floor of their home has its own winter holiday scene complete with animatronic dolls.

Host George Gray will introduce viewers to the other unusual folks who enjoy transforming their lawns into an out-of-this-world holiday display. This special episode of What's With That House? will take viewers inside the most talked about houses in the neighborhood to meet the characters who live there and find out why they love over-the-top holiday decorations.