VALLEY CENTER - The Valley Center History Museum will kick off the new year with an exhibit recalling the famed cattle drives of the mid-19th century, with a special focus on an event some have called "The Great Valley Center Cattle Drive of 1884."

The exhibit, opening Jan. 2, will document a cattle drive in which 2,000 steers were brought across the country to Valley Center from the Oklahoma Territory. The six-month trek was underwritten by banker and financier Jacob Gruendike, who had an interest in Rancho Guejito, final destination for the 1884 drive. Although cattle drives were conducted for only about 20 years, they have lived on in motion pictures and paintings and epitomize the romance of the Old West.

The exhibit will continue through June at 29200 Cole Grade Road. The museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. Information: (760) 749-2993, http://www.valleycenterhistory.org.

Sewing center offers classes, club

SAN MARCOS - Martins Sewing Center offers sewing classes at its store, 711 Center Drive, Suite 104.

Classes include "Digitizing Dilemmas," 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 5, $10; "MasterWorks Digitizing," 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 8 and again from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 12, $25; private sewing lessons, 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 8, $20 per hour; "Palette Digitizing," 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10, $10; "Ellegante Upgrades," 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 10 and again from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 11, free; and "Know Your Serger," 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 12, $25.

A free Sew What's New Club will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 16 and 19.

Information: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/martins.php.

'Tale of Two Cities' film will be shown

ESCONDIDO - The Philosophical Library will show the Oscar-nominated 1935 film "A Tale of Two Cities" starring Ronald Coleman, at its First Saturday Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5. Doors open at 6.

Following the film, there will be a group discussion moderated by Richard M. Dell'Orfano, who moderated film discussions at the Escondido Public Library for three years.

At its First Saturday Movie Nights, the library shows dramatic films chosen for their moral dilemma or socially controversial issues that will stimulate thought and consideration.

Admission is free, however, a $5 donation is suggested to support and expand the facility. The library is at 2091 E. Valley Parkway, Suite D. Information: (760) 745-2724.

Death and bereavement will be discussed

ESCONDIDO - Death and bereavement will be the subject of a discussion circle planned for 12:15 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Creative Center for Spiritual Living, 1330 E. Valley Parkway, Suite G (behind the IHOP restaurant).

Anyone in the community is welcome to come and share their experiences with death and bereavement at the nondenominational meeting facilitated by the Rev. Tom McCauley. Attitudes on the subject of death and afterlife will be explored, as well as methods for overcoming depression. Information: (760) 741-0853.

Open mike poetry event on tap

ESCONDIDO - An open mike poetry event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, 142 W. Grand Ave. A reception will precede the event at 12:30 p.m.

Local writers are invited to bring a few poems or short written pieces for open reading following the featured poets, Kate Harding and Lisa Albright Ratnavira. Harding and Ratnavira will read selections from their chapbook "Maiden, Mother, Crone," as well as poems about childhood, motherhood and aging. Information: (760) 480-4101.

Pianist to give recital Jan. 6

ESCONDIDO - Pianist Scott Pratt will play a recital at 3 p.m. Jan. 6 at the First United Methodist Church of Escondido, 341 S. Kalmia St. Pratt, a native of Escondido, will play works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Poulenc, Chopin and others. He serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Laney College in Oakland. Information: (760) 745-5100.

Watercolor classes offered

NORTH COUNTY - Local watercolor artist Tom Tiedeman will teach these watercolor classes for all experience levels - beginning to advanced.

- "Watercolor Magic," 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 8 through March 4, Rancho Bernardo Joslyn Senior Center, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive.

- Daytime watercolor class, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 10 through 31, Tiedeman Watercolors Studios, 115 W. Grand Ave., Escondido.

- Evening watercolor class, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Jan. 10 through 31, Tiedeman Watercolors Studios.

For information and to ask about affordable supplies and watercolor kits, call Tiedeman at (760) 743-1474 or go to http://www.arttom.com.

2nd Tuesday Book Club to meet

ESCONDIDO - The Escondido Public Library invites readers to the next 2nd Tuesday Book Club meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 8 in the Turrentine Room at the library, 239 S. Kalmia St.

This month's selection is "Stones for Ibarra" by Harriet Doerr. The novel is about the middle-aged Evertons and their decision to leave their California home in 1960 for the declining village of Ibarra, Mexico.

The 2nd Tuesday Book Club will continue with Dana Spiotta's "Eat the Document" on Feb. 12 and Ha Jin's "War Trash" on March 11.

Information: (760) 839-4839, http://www.library.escondido.org.

Gourd art class offered Jan. 12

ESCONDIDO - The Baiamonte Gourd Farm will offer a gourd art class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 12. Participants can learn how to properly select, handle and clean gourds; mark and cut intricate details; clean the inside of the gourd; strengthen weak walls; and seal and apply a lasting finish.

Classes are limited to small groups in order to ensure one-on-one instruction. Fee of $40 includes a cleaning kit and a gourd that participants take home as a finished piece of art. Reserve to (760) 741-3736. Gift certificates are available.

Native plant club seeks volunteers

NORTH COUNTY - The Lake Hodges Native Plant Club's Botanical Garden near Escondido is seeking volunteers to help Wednesday and/or Saturday mornings. The work session will be followed by a brown-bag lunch and group discussion of gardening issues. Information: (858) 592-9782, http://www.lhnpc.org.

Ramona Woman's Club to host pianist

RAMONA - Pianist Bruno Leone will perform for the Ramona Woman's Club at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 at the clubhouse, 524 Main St. The program will feature the music of Cole Porter. Information: (760) 789-2116.

Also, the club will host a Bridge Club Card Party and Luncheon at noon Jan. 10. Reservations: Dorothy Berry, (760) 788-2673.

RB foundation awards grant to hospice

RANCHO BERNARDO - The Elizabeth Hospice recently received a grant for the purchase of medical equipment from the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation. The grant was used to equip hospice nursing teams serving patients with life threatening illnesses in the Rancho Bernardo community. The additional nursing equipment will allow the hospice to better serve Rancho Bernardo patients in private homes, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.