OCEANSIDE - The North San Diego County chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers will meet at 7 p.m. May 18 in Room 7003 of the new horticultural building at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive. A film on grafting will be viewed. Information: http://members.cox.net/ncsdcrfg.

Poker Run to benefit military families

NORTH COUNTY - Biggs Harley Davidson and Clint August of Rock 105.3 will present the fifth annual Support the Troops Poker Run and After-party on May 19.

The Poker Run will begin with registration, a free pancake breakfast and live music from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Biggs San Marcos, 717 Center Drive; and end with lunch, drinks, demo rides, raffles, a bikini contest, vendors, live music by the General Lee Band and more from noon to 3 p.m. at Biggs Oceanside, 1555 S. Coast Highway.

Cost to participate is $20 for riders and $5 for passengers. Proceeds will go to Homefront San Diego to assist families of deployed military personnel.

For information, e-mail clint@rock1053.com or call (868) 442-2733.

Wellness center's art gallery to open

ENCINITAS - Visionary artist and medical intuitive Lindsay Duff, owner of the Open Door Wellness Center and Art Gallery, will open up the gallery for her first exhibit. A celebration is planned from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19 and noon to 6 p.m. May 20.

Duff has been impacting the lives of people for 30 years through the transformational power of the arts. Her watercolor paintings reflect her feelings of light, joy and energy. She specializes in teaching people to learn how to focus on their creativity and to integrate that creativity into their daily lives.

The Open Door Wellness Center and Art Gallery is at 1054 Second St., Suite B. For information, call (760) 942-4422 or go to http://www.lindsayduff.com.

Trail Days hikes, restoration project set

NORTH COUNTY - The San Dieguito River Park will host the following events in celebration of California Trail Days, May 19 and 20.

- 8 to 11 a.m. May 19: Habitat Restoration Project at the Bernardo Bay Natural Area, which is also the staging area for the Piedras Pintadas Trail in Rancho Bernardo. Go to http://www.sdrp.org for a list of activities and projects. R.S.V.P to Barbara at (858) 674-2275, Ext. 14.

- 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 19. Del Dios Gorge Trail hike. Another link in the Coast to Crest's 55-mile trail, this is the first guided hike along the scenic stretch between Rancho Santa Fe and Lake Hodges. Look for the Lemon Twist Fruit Stand on Del Dios Highway; turn in and drive down the paved road toward the staging area. Reservations are not required.

- 1 to 4 p.m. May 20: hike to the top of Volcan Mountain near Julian. Reservations are required. Reservations and directions: (858) 674-2275, Ext. 12.

Italian Association to hold picnic

CARLSBAD - The North County Italian Association will hold a picnic from 1 to 4 p.m. May 20 at Stagecoach Park. The group will award scholarships to four high school seniors during the event. Italian sausage sandwiches, grilled chicken, snacks, soda and water will be available at $10 per person. For information, call (760) 734-6841.

Genealogical Society to meet

CARLSBAD - The North San Diego County Genealogical Society will meet at 10 a.m. May 21 in the Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Attendees will hear a panel discussion by members on the systems or methods they use to organize and maintain the large volume of genealogical data they have accumulated.

Free. Information: (760) 630-6720.

Quilters' group to meet May 21

ESCONDIDO - The North County Quilters' Association will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. May 21 at its new location, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1087 W. Country Club Drive. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

The guest lecturer will be Rita Zerull. Using examples from her extensive collection of many art forms, Zerull will discuss the evolution of her artistic expression from fine art to quilts, wearable art, dolls and beading.

Cost is $4 for nonmembers. Information: Karen Miller, (858) 485-1596.

Sleep apnea support available

OCEANSIDE - The American Sleep Apnea Association hosts a free, bimonthly AWAKE sleep apnea support group to assist and educate individuals who have sleep apnea, especially those using a CPAP machine.

The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. May 22 at Tri-City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way. Inquire at the hospital's information desk for meeting room location.

Dr. Aliya S. Ferouz-Colbourne, a board certified sleep specialist, will discuss "Recent Advances in Sleep Apnea."

Jewish Men's Club to meet

VISTA - The North County Jewish Men's Club will hold its monthly breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. May 24 at the Shadowridge Country Club, 1980 Gateway Drive. Paramedic Ron Owens will describe how lives can be saved by calling 911. For reservations, call (760) 631-7998.

Singles club to meet May 24

VISTA -- The Single Travelers Club will meet for dinner at 6 p.m. followed by dancing and karaoke at 7:30 p.m. May 24 at San Giorgio's Lucano, 1280 E. Vista Way. For reservations, call Rita Love at (760) 721-8412.

Ostomy support group to meet

OCEANSIDE - The Ostomy Support Group of North County will meet at 1 p.m. May 25 in Assembly Room 1 at Tri-City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way.

Tai chi chih instructor Christina Tillotson will present a program on the philosophy and benefits of tai chi chih.

Information: (760) 433-3440.

Animal Center to host Spring Fling

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center will present "Bella Notte - A Venetian Masquerade," its 19th annual Spring Fling black-tie gala fundraiser, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight June 2 in the Fairbanks Ranch Village Plaza.

The event will feature fine art, food from area restaurants, hosted bars and music.

Cost is $300 per person for Palazzo seating or $225 per person for Piazza seating. Table of 10 also are available.

For information and tickets, call (858) 756-4117 or go to http://www.animalcenter.org.