ESCONDIDO -- Escondido Chamber of Commerce ambassador and noted Escondido philanthropist Edna Sahm will debut her first book titled "90 and Loving It" from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 in the Edna Sahm lobby at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The 180-page book is illustrated with 16 pages of photos depicting various phases of Sahm's life. Books will be available for purchase at $14.95.

Take a hike at Daley Ranch

ESCONDIDO -- Free, guided nature hikes are offered at Daley Ranch.

All trails include steep and/or slippery sections. Bring at least a two liters of water and wear a hat, sunscreen and hiking boots or treaded footwear. Youths younger than 18 must be with an adult. No pets are allowed. Meet at La Honda Drive entrance.

The hike schedule and trail map are online at http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us.

Reservations are requested. Call (760) 839-4680. A shuttle with handicapped accessibility runs Sundays.

• 8 a.m. Dec. 21: Naturalist Kathleen Flanagan will lead a moderately-paced hike to learn about native oaks. There will be stops for photos and a long break under the huge oak.

• 7:30 a.m. Dec. 23: Join naturalist Michelle Capodice for a leisurely hike to the Ranch House.

• 8 a.m. Dec. 24: Naturalist Susan Cunningham will lead a two-hour Christmas Eve hike and give an introduction to identifying coyote footprints and sign.

• 9 a.m. Dec. 25: Naturalist and biologist Carol Stanford will lead the annual Christmas morning hike.

Historical photo calendar is available

ESCONDIDO -- Photographs of Grape Day Parades held over the last 100 years are featured in the new 2008 Pioneer Room historical Escondido photo calendar. Priced at $5, the calendar is the major fundraiser for the Pioneer Room Friends, a volunteer group that provides money to purchase books, search materials, equipment and services for the library's history and archival center.

The calendar is available at many Escondido locations. Information: (760) 839-4315, http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/library/pioneer.

Laughlin trip planned for seniors

ESCONDIDO -- The Joslyn Senior Center Travel Service, 210 Park Ave., will offer a trip to Laughlin, Nev., from Jan 29 through 31. Stay at the Riverside hotel, which has many restaurants, a movie theater, a bowling alley and bingo.

Cost of $85 per person, double occupancy, and $100 for single occupancy, includes deluxe motorcoach transportation, two breakfasts, luggage handling and all gratuities. Reservations and information: (760) 745-5414.

Health services for seniors offered

ESCONDIDO -- The Senior Service Council will offer these services for seniors in the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway, in the Joslyn Senior Center complex. Call (760) 480-0611.

• A blood pressure clinic is held Mondays in the Wellness Center -- 8:30 to 9 a.m. for staff and volunteers and 9 to 10 a.m. for the general public.

• The Elizabeth Hospice of Escondido conducts a bereavement support group from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursdays in the meeting room.

Sheriff's station seeks senior volunteers

SAN MARCOS -- The San Marcos Sheriff's Station is seeking new members for its Senior Volunteer Patrol Program. As the "eyes and ears" of the Sheriff's Department, Senior Volunteer Patrol members cover all of San Marcos and unincorporated areas of north and south San Diego County.

Duties include checking on the homes of residents who are on vacation; visiting home-bound individuals through the You Are Not Alone (YANA) program; patrolling parking areas for handicapped parking violations; reporting abandoned vehicles, graffiti and suspicious activities; and performing office duties. Volunteers must be available for a minimum of six hours per week.

Applicants must be age 50 or older, have a valid driver's license, undergo a background check and have their physician's approval. Candidates then participate in a 72-hour training academy. The next academy will begin in Janurary.

Information: SVP Administrator Don Agostino, (760) 510-5290.

RB Playgoers to host singing group

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The RB Playgoers Showtime on Dec. 21 will feature a singing group of musical moms called Semi Sweet, who will perform songs from the '40s through the '60s, as well as holiday music. The performance will take place at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Social time will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by the show at 2.

Annual dues are $15 and $10 for Seven Oaks residents. First-time guests, ages 18 and older, will be admitted free. Information: Membership Chairman Paul Sodeman, (858) 673-9990.

Also, the group will see "Music and Memories," a tribute to Liberace, on Jan. 13 at the Welk Resort Theater. Cost of $54 includes lunch. Information: carpool escort Julie Guinane, (858) 487-0213.

Bird-watching field trips offered

The Palomar Audubon Society will offer these bird-watching field trips. Information and directions: http://www.palomaraudubon.org (Field Trips).

• 8:30 a.m. Dec. 22: Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial Beach.

• 8:30 a.m. Jan. 5: Oak Hill Memorial Park, Escondido.

Running group plans Jingle Bell Walk/Run

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook Running and Walking Club will host its first Jingle Bell Walk/Run at 3 p.m. Dec. 23. This event is open to walkers and runners of all ages and abilities and participation is free. The start and finish will be at Village Square at the corner of Main and Alvarado streets.

The course will allow participants to select the distance they would like to cover, up to five miles, but the distance must be completed in less than one hour. Jingle Bell attire is encouraged. Starters will be treated to a Christmas carol serenade, and egg nog and cookies will be served at the finish. Information: Hank Donigan, (760) 201-7613; hammerin77@yahoo.com.

Boys & Girls Club will be open during winter break

FALLBROOK -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of North County will be open during winter break. The Ingold Unit at 445 E. Ivy St. will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 26 through 28 and Jan. 2 through 4. The program is free with a current membership. Extended care will be available from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for $25 per child per day. Information: (760) 728-5871.

Opera tickets now on sale

FALLBROOK -- Tickets are on sale for the San Diego Opera Gala being performed Dec. 29 at the Bob Burton Performing Arts Center on the Fallbrook High School campus. Tickets are available at the CAST box office at 200 N. Main St., across from the Mission Theatre.

The program will include members of the San Diego Opera Chorus, including Fallbrook's own Sasha La Russo.

Dress is anything from dress casual to black tie. Proceeds from the show will benefit the fire victims from Valley Oaks Mobile Home Park on Reche Road. Tickets cost $25. People who cannot attend may purchase tickets for fire victims to attend. Call (760) 731-2278.

Monetary donations can be made at Pacific Western Bank under an account set up as Valley Oaks Opera Gala Benefit.