Democrats to meet

VISTA -- Progressive Democrats of America North County will meet at 1:30 p.m. July 12 at the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Church, 1600 Buena Vista Drive. Dwain Deets, former director of Research Engineering at NASA, will speak on "An Inconvenient Truth" -- a scientific, nonpartisan investigation into the collapse of the World Trade Center high-rise buildings on 9/11. Call 760-842-8534.

Annual wine fest event arrives

VISTA -- The Vista Optimist Club and Moonlight Cultural Foundation will host its annual Wine Fest from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. July 25 at the Vista Optimist Club, 600 Optimist Way. Tickets cost $60. Reserve at 760-525-9891.

TOPS to meet

VISTA -- The Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) club of Vista, a nonprofit weight-loss support group, meets Wednesdays from 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Corona del Vista Clubhouse, 1501 Anza Ave. The support group offers encouragement, education and healthy living ideas, including contests and activities. Call 760-613-8628.

Afternoon dance scheduled

VISTA -- The Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center will hold a dance at 2 to 4 p.m. July 9 and 23 at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Cost is $2. Call 760-639-6160 or visit cityofvista.com.

Toastmasters club to meet

ESCONDIDO -- The Felicita Toastmasters club meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays in the activity room at Cypress Court, 1255 N. Broadway. Call 760-746-3635.

Family day slated for San Pasqual Valley

ESCONDIDO -- The San Diego Archaeological Center will host a family day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 at the center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road. Interactive stations will be set up around the center classroom, giving participants an opportunity to play marbles and jacks, create tussy mussys and rag dolls, and scrub clothes on a wooden washboard, among other things. Refreshments will be available. If the temperature is reasonable, a hike will be offered. Bring drinking water and wear appropriate foot and head gear. The center museum will also be open for a donation of $2 per person, $5 per family. The museum is free to members. Call 760-291-0370 or e-mail acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org. Visit sandiegoarchaeology.org.

Free composting workshop to be held

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Community Garden will hold a free composting workshop from 8:30 to 10 a.m. July 11 at the community garden in the cul-de-sac at Morning View Drive and Lincoln Avenue. The workshop will be staffed by master composters and include instruction and demonstrations in the building and maintenance of a backyard compost pile and worm bin. No registration required. Cancelled for rain. Call 760-839-6216.

Artist reception to be held

ESCONDIDO -- Distinction Gallery and Artists Studio will host its second Saturday reception from 6 to 11 p.m. July 11 and a reception from 7 to 10 p.m. July 25 for the show "Mind Machine," featuring a group of seven artists working in concept art. The studio is at 318 E. Grand Ave. Both receptions will include live music and beer/wine provided by local venues. Call 760-781-5779.

Expressive arts workshop being offered

ENCINITAS -- The Positive Action Community Theatre is offering expressive arts workshops for children ages 5 to 9 from 3 to 4 p.m. starting July 11. The workshops will take place at Dance North County, 535 Encinitas Blvd., Suite 100. The workshops teach self esteem, cooperation, fitness and imagination through skits, improv, mime, movement and dance to children with and without disabilities. Cost is $15 per class or $20 for two siblings. Register at 760-815-8512, e-mail info@pacthouse.org, or visit pacthouse.org.

North County young professionals to meet

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce North County Young Professionals Lunch will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 14 at Buca di Beppo, 1921 Calle Barcelona. The $25 cost for chamber members and $40 for nonmembers includes lunch. Reserve by July 10 at 760-931-8400.

City hosts development review process workshop

CARLSBAD -- The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce will hold a developmental review process workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. July 8 in Room 173B, 1635 Faraday Ave. Register at 760-602-2710.

Reptile presentation at lagoon

CARLSBAD -- Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation will host a free presentation on reptiles by The San Diego Herpetological Society from 9 to 11 a.m. July 11 at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. The event will feature live snakes, lizards and turtles that make the lagoon and other areas of San Diego their home. Free parking. Call 760-931-0800 or visit batiquitosfoundation.org.

Ballroom dance classes offered

SAN MARCOS --The San Marcos Senior Center has ballroom dance classes from 2 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays, except the third Thursday of the month, when a dance with live band goes from 2 to 4 p.m. The center is at 111 W. Richmar Ave. The cost is $35 for 10 lessons. You do not need a partner and the lessons are continuous. Call 760-744-5535.

Historical Society collects old cell phones

SAN MARCOS -- The San Marcos Historical Society is collecting use cell phones for a company that repairs them for use in Third World countries.The museum is paid for each phone. Drop off used cell phones at the museum, 270 W. San Marcos Blvd. Call 760-744-9025.

New San Diego Food Bank open

SAN MARCOS -- The San Diego Food Bank distributes food the third Tuesday of each month at the Oasis Church, 842 Nordahl Road. Call 858-527-1419.

Canine companions to honor military

OCEANSIDE -- Canine Companions for Independence will hold an open house in honor of the U.S. Armed Forces from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11 at the Oceanside Campus, 124 Rancho del Oro Drive. The free event will feature campus tours, training demonstrations, games and prizes, face painting, live entertainment and refreshments. Meet working assistance dogs and puppies-in-program. Canine Companions provides trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities. Call 760-901-4300 or visit cci.org/salutes.

Mental illness group to meet

OCEANSIDE -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Mariposa Clubhouse, 506 Greenbrier Drive, Suite C-E. Call 760-439-2785.

Dog adoption

DEL MAR -- The Foundation for the Care of Indigent Animals will hold a dog adoption from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 11 at Petco, 2749 Via de la Valle. Call 619-466-0426.

Open guitar classes

CARDIFF BY THE SEA -- The Cardiff-by-the-Sea library is hosting open guitar classes from the Devine School of Guitar from 10 to 10:45 a.m. for ages 5-8 and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. for ages 9-12. The classes will take place July 13 at 2081 Newcastle Ave. Parents are encouraged to attend. Call 760-753-4027.

Student exchange program needs host families

NORTH COUNTY -- The Council on International Educational Exchange needs host families for its high school exchange program for either one or two semesters. The cultural exchange between your family and the student will lead to a deeper understanding of human values that unites all nations across the world. Call 619-847-0474 or visit ciee.org/hs/host/.

Blue Sky hosts after-dark adventure

POWAY -- Blue Sky Reserve will hold an after-dark insect adventure at 8:30 p.m. July 11 at the reserve, 16275 Espola Road. Entomologists, staff, and docents will help participants capture, identify, and release nighttime inhabitants back into the wild. Entomologist Mike Klein will kick off the evening with a short presentation on bugs and beasties. The cost is $3 per person. The event is suitable for all ages. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Register at poway.org/classes or at City Hall, 13325 Civic Center Drive.