SAN MARCOS - Cal State San Marcos will offer these "Black History Month" events on campus, unless otherwise noted. For information, call Gezai Berhane at (760) 750-4928.

• 6 p.m. today: The Black Student Union will host a fashion show at Clarke Field House.

• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 15: "Black Market" will be the topic of Dinner Dialogues presented by the Cross-Cultural Center and Education Equity and Diversity in the Dome.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 15: "Tuskegee Airmen" film will be screened in the University Village Apartments (UVA) classroom, at Barham Drive and Campus Way Drive.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 17: "Rosa Parks" film will be screened in the UVA classroom.

• Feb. 18: See the Sunday Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego. Depart at noon from the UVA.

• Noon Feb. 20: A Black History Month celebration will be presented during University Hour by Associated Students Inc. with Damaru on the Library Plaza.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 20: "The N Word" documentary film will be screened in the UVA classroom.

• 6 p.m. Feb. 21: "Just Black? Multi Racial Identities" documentary film and discussion in the UVA classroom.

• 6 p.m. Feb. 22: "Women, AIDS and Poverty in Uganda" event featuring food, presentation and discussion, as well as African jewelry sale in the UVA classroom. Proceeds will help support BreadforLife.

• Noon Feb. 23: Soul food luncheon presented by the African American Faculty and Staff Association in the Clarke Field House.

• Feb. 26: See "The Lost Boys of Sudan" film, followed by a discussion with two Sudanese refugees, at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in downtown San Diego. Depart at 5 p.m. from the UVA.

• 7 p.m. Feb. 27: "Pursuit of Happyness" film will be screened in the Clarke Field House.

• 6 p.m. Feb. 28: "Soul Food and Spoken Word" event in the UVA classroom.

Village Idiots to meet

VISTA - The Village Idiots Literary Society will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Vista Village Art Gallery, 127 Main St. The featured poet will be Lenny Lianne. Her poems have appeared in "The Innisfree Poetry Journal," "Earth's Daughters," "Hidden Oak" and "San Diego Arts and Poets Magazine," as well as anthologies "Driftwood Highway," "Magee Park Poets 2006" and "Cabin Fever."

The presentation will be followed by an open microphone reading at 8 p.m. Admission is free and snacks will be served. Call (760) 726-0764.

Stuffed cabbage dinner planned at VFW

VISTA - VFW Post 7041 will hold a special pot roast dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Dinner includes salad for $6.50. Items on the regular menu also will be available. Active-duty military are always welcome. Proceeds are used for veterans programs. The post is at 1717 E. Vista Way, Suite 117. Call (760) 724-7041.

Jazz, blues singer to perform at church

VISTA - Marti Lynch will perform from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at Unity Way Church, 171 Unity Way. Lynch will sing jazz and blues vocal renditions of great American songs by Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hart and more. Donations will be accepted. Call (760) 726-1224 or visit http://www.martijazz.homestead.com.

VFW has room to rent, catering available

VISTA - Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7041 at 1717 E. Vista Way, Suite 117, has a room for rent for private parties or business functions. Catering is also available at reasonable prices.The proceeds go toward financing the post's veterans programs. Call Daniell or Lori at (760) 724-7041for pricing and availability.

Pancake breakfast planned

VISTA - A pancake breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at the Vista Masonic Center, 761 Eucalyptus Ave. Proceeds will benefit the Golden Star Assembly Girls and Pledge Girls. Cost is $8 adults; $4 for those age 12 and under. Call (760) 845-3649.

Jewish Men's Club to meet

VISTA - The North County Jewish Men's Club will hold its monthly breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Shadowridge Country Club, 1980 Gateway Drive. Guest speaker will be Dr. Farouk Al-Masser, an Iraqi with extensive experience in the Middle East who will speak about the situation there today. Guests and wives are welcome. Call (760) 631-7998.

'Celebration of Black Gospel Music' set

VISTA - A "Celebration of Black Gospel Music" will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Higher Dominion Worship Center, 2136 Industrial Court. The event will feature Danny Graham, Eddie Baltrip & the Voices, Two for Hymm, Cheryl Dearing & Blessed and more. Call Brenda at (760) 458-6258.

Divorce group meets Sundays

SOLANA BEACH - The St. James Divorce Support Group meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays at St. James Catholic Church, Ministry Offices, 625 S. Nardo Ave. Call Frank Grant at (760) 533-1520, e-mail fwgrant@earthlink.net or kimberlyduvall@yahoo.com.

Knit one, purl two

SOLANA BEACH - Learn the ins and outs of knitting when the Knitting Circle meets from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays at Knitting By The Beach, 509 Stevens Ave., Suite B. Call (858) 509-9276 or visit the Web site at http://www.knittingbythebeach.com.

Gardens offers military freebies

ENCINITAS - Quail Botanical Gardens will honor military families from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, at the garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. The celebration will include free admission for all military families - military family members are required to show their military ID.

Alsom, there will be free crafts for kids, free Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, fresh cut flowers donated by The San Diego International Floral Trade Center and The San Diego County Flower and Plant Association, and more. Call (760) 436-3036, Ext. 206 or visit the Web site at http://www.qbgardens.org.

Donate blood Feb. 25

ENCINITAS - The San Diego Blood Bank bloodmobile will accept blood donations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, 890 Balour Drive. The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot. All donors at this drive will be awarded a voucher for a free whale-watching trip donated by Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing - due to rising fuel costs there will be a $5 surcharge per person.

Participants will also have the opportunity to join the San Diego Blood Bank's new Donor Difference program, which includes access to an online store for donors and the ability to track cholesterol, pulse and blood pressure after each donation. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. A good meal is recommended prior to donation. Call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit the Web site at http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Bloodmobile visits Vons

SOLANA BEACH - The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Vons at Lomas Santa Fe Plaza & Gardens, 931 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds, may be eligible to give blood. Call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit the Web site at http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Volunteers needed for animal center

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center will host the orientation for volunteers ages 14 and older at 9 a.m. March 10, May 12 and June 16 at the center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Call (858) 756-4117, Ext. 305 or e-mail ritas@animalcenter.org.

Carlsbad High 50th anniversary celebration planned

CARLSBAD - Plans are in the works for Carlsbad High School's 50th anniversary celebration in 2008.

Alumni, community members and others interested in helping, sharing memorabilia or donating should call Ginny at (760) 439-0197 or e-mail gunanue@sbcglobal.net.

A planning meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22 in the school's administration office.

TOPS to meet weekly

CARLSBAD -The weight-losing, exercist group called Take Off Pounds Sensibly will hold its weekly meetings from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Mondays at the Calavera Hills Recreation Center, 2997 Glasgow Drive. TOPS is a low-cost weight-loss support alternative to the more costly and highly publicized organizations. Cost is $3.50 per month.

Call (858) 831-9201 or visit the Web site at http://www.tops.org.

Hospice offers walking group

CARLSBAD - Hospice of the North Coast offers the Carlsbad Walking Group for people who have lost loved ones and are in need of emotional support at 8 a.m. Fridays at the corner of Cannon Road and Coast Highway. The "walk and talk" group is designed to assist individuals who need support during their grieving, but are unable to come into a support group at the office. Call Phyllis at (760) 431-4100.

Youth enrichment group meets

CARLSBAD - Carlsbad Youth Enrichment Services will meet at noon Feb. 21 at the Barrio Museum, 3304 Roosevelt. Guest speaker Kelli Moors, Carlsbad Unified School District Board president, will give an "Update on the Progress of 'Prop P'." Call Nancy Logan at (760) 310-5310.

Health fair, walk set for Feb. 25

CARLSBAD - The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation will host its fourth annual 5K Walk for Life and free health fair from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 25 at Magee Park. The free health fair will offer a variety of health screenings, healthy foods, music, entertainment and prizes.

The 5K walk will start and finish at Magee Park with the course on Carlsbad's scenic boardwalk; the turning point will be just before Cannon Road. Cost is $28, free for children 12 and under. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome. Call (760) 730-1471 or visit the Web site at http://www.cvdf.org.

Air Products hosts blood drive

CARLSBAD - The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at Air Products Carlsbad, 1969 Palomar Oaks Way. The bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot.

Donors will be awarded a voucher for a free whale-watching trip donated by Helgren's Oceanside Sportfishing. Participants can join the San Diego Blood Bank's new Donor Difference program, which includes access to an online store for donors and the ability to track cholesterol, pulse and blood pressure after each donation. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to give blood. A good meal is recommended prior to donation. Call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit the Web site at http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

MDA needs volunteers for summer camps

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is in need of summer camp volunteers who will help young people with neuromuscular diseases enjoy fun-filled, weeklong MDA summer camps across the country. Volunteer counselors must be at least 16 years old and able to lift and care for a young person between the ages of 6 and 21.

Each counselor becomes a companion to a camper with a neuromuscular disease. Counselors help their campers with daily activities such as eating, bathing and dressing, and in recreational activities such as arts and crafts, swimming and horseback riding. At no charge to families, MDA's summer camp program serves more than 4,000 campers nationwide in some 90 weeklong sessions. Call (800) 572-1717 or the Web site at www.mda.org/clinics/camp.

U.S. Grant Hotel hosts Kids Korps gala

SAN DIEGO - Radio talk show host Larry King will be the master of ceremonies at the 2007 Kids Korps USA's annual gala, "An Era of Elegance," at 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the U.S. Grant Hotel, 326 Broadway, downtown.

King will preside over an evening of dining, dancing and auction items to raise funds and awareness for Kids Korps USA, the San Diego-based nonprofit organization that engages young people from 5 through 18 in community service. Cost is $225 to $1,000. Call (858) 259-3602 or visit the Web site at http://www.kidskorps.org.

Story times set at VC Library

VALLEY CENTER - The Valley Center branch of the San Diego County Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road, will offer these story times for children in February. For information, call (760) 749-1305.

• 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14: Story time with Mrs. Welch, who will share the fun story of "Spider Saves Valentines!" Stay to make Valentine crafts.

• 2:30 p.m. Feb. 21: It's George Washington's birthday and Mrs. Welch will tell inspiring tales about the first president. Stay to make creative apple crafts.

• 2:30 p.m. Feb. 28: Celebrate poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's birthday with Mrs. Welch. Stay to create decorative stationery.

Library will be closed Feb. 16

ESCONDIDO - The Escondido Public Library will close all its facilities for an all-day staff training Feb. 16. This includes the main library, 239 S. Kalmia St.; the East Valley Branch Library, 2245 E. Valley Parkway; the Escondido Pioneer Room, next to the main library; and the Literacy Annex at 200 N. Broadway.

No overdue fines will be charged for the day, and the library will reopen as usual Feb. 17.

The training is aimed at improving library staff's knowledge and skills and to plan improvements to services to the public, according to Laura Mitchell, city librarian.

Hike to top of Bottle Peak

ESCONDIDO - Jack Pomeroy will lead a short but strenuous hike to the top of Bottle Peak on Feb. 17. This outing is one in a series of free hikes conducted by the Escondido Citizens Ecology Committee to make local residents more aware of their natural surroundings.

Bottle Peak is the most prominent peak in the Escondido area and is easily viewed as one travels eastward on East Valley Parkway or Grand Avenue. The top of the bare granitic dome is reached by a "primitive" trail from Lake Wohlford. Participants should wear long-sleeved tops and long pants because of poison oak.

For information, including meeting time and place, call Pomeroy at (760) 739-8703. The hike is limited to 20 participants.

Parkinson's group to discuss physical therapy

ESCONDIDO - The Escondido Parkinson's Support Group will meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway (in the Joslyn Senior Center complex). Julie Stevens-Hom from Ability Rehabilitation Specialists will discuss the importance of physical therapy for the Parkinson's patient, as well as the importance of balance in fall prevention. For information, call Lisa Russell, social work facilitator, at (858) 538-2673.

Heart patient support offered

ESCONDIDO - February is American Heart Month and Mended Hearts, a national heart patient support group affiliated with the American Heart Association, has a number of services available to local heart patients this month and throughout the year.

The core of the group's services is its patient-to-patient visitor program. Heart patient volunteers, trained and accredited by Mended Hearts, visit other patients - either before or after surgery - during hospital stays.

The volunteers offer "tangible proof that there can be a quality life associated with heart disease, despite the challenges," said Connie Petersen, president of the local Mended Hearts chapter. Mended Hearts partners locally with Palomar Medical Center in providing its visitor program.

Additionally the local chapter meets monthly. The next meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway. Cardiologist Robert Stein and cardiology nurse Barbara Buesch will discuss heart disease in women.

Information: (760) 749-8169, http://www.mendedhearts.org.

Children's Hospital auxiliary to meet

ESCONDIDO - The Escondido Unit of Children's Hospital Auxiliary will meet at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at the First Methodist Church, 341 S. Kalmia St. The group is looking for new members who are willing to donate their time and talents to help meet the health care needs of local children through Children's Hospital. For information, call Margie at (951) 767-1940 or Penny at (760) 522-0963.

DBA to host Chargers vice president

ESCONDIDO - Join the Downtown Business Association and Barratt American for a luncheon program at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at Ellen's Enchanted Gardens, at Third Avenue and Escondido Boulevard.

Jim Steeg, vice president of the San Diego Chargers, will present "Success On the Field and Off: Building Circles of Influence and Persevering When Hitting a Speed Bump in Life." Steeg spent 31 years with the NFL and is credited as the man responsible for turning the Super Bowl into the world's premier sporting event.

Lunch will be catered by 150 Grand. Cost is $15 prepaid reservations only; $20 at the door. To register, go to http://www.downtownescondido.com. For information, call (760) 745-8877.

Fire department is the lecture topic

ESCONDIDO - Retired Escondido fire Marshal Ernie Liebman will be the featured speaker at the Escondido History Center's free monthly lecture at 2 p.m. Feb. 21.

He will answer questions, such as how the fire department investigates the origin of a fire, including the recent Paramount condominium fire. He also will discuss the history of the Escondido Fire Department.

The Escondido History Center is in Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway. For information, call (760) 743-8207.

Optometrist to offer free workshop

ESCONDIDO - Optometrist Norman Rose will offer a free workshop at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 21 at 1299 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Suite B. The workshop is for parents who are tired of the homework war or have children who have difficulty reading or learning, as well as for individuals who have headaches from work or who themselves have difficulty reading or learning. Call Marcia at (760) 743-6540.

Church to host infertility seminar

ESCONDIDO - A one-day seminar, designed to provide encouragement and practical help to couples who are experiencing infertility or have dealt with pregnancy loss, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at Emmanuel Faith Community Church, 639 E. Felicita Ave.

The conference will focus on how to keep a marriage healthy and intact while navigating the journey of infertility issues.

Guest speakers John and Sylvia Regenmorter will address the mental, emotional, spiritual, medical and other ethical aspects of infertility, such as adoption. Six sessions and lunch will be offered. Cost is $50 per couple or $30 per person.

The Regenmorters, co-directors of a Christian-based infertility ministry called Stepping Stones, have written two books, "Dear God, Why Can't We Have a Baby?" and "When the Cradle Is Empty: Answering Tough Questions About Infertility."

For information, call Cheryl Jordan at (760) 741-7923 or Joyce Marks at (760) 781-2114.

Learn how to trace family history

ESCONDIDO - The Escondido South Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will sponsor a free Family History Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 3 at the Escondido Stake Center, 2255 Felicita Road.

The conference is open to all wanting to learn more about how to trace their family history. Classes will include beginning genealogy, introduction to U.S. vital records, using U.S. probate and deed records, a comparison of genealogical software programs, scanning basics and tracing one's American Indian heritage.

The keynote speaker will be Kory Meyerink, who has been involved in nearly every aspect of genealogy and family history for the past 20 years. He has associate and bachelor's degrees from Brigham Young University, as well as a master's degree in library and information science.

A registration form and a complete class list are available at http://www.familyhistoryfair.org. Registration deadline is March 1. An optional syllabus is available for $11; order by Feb. 16. Also, a box lunch is available for $7.50; order by Feb. 28. For information, call (760) 745-1662.

Woodworking club to meet Feb. 15

ESCONDIDO - The North County Woodworking Club will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Joslyn Senior Center auditorium, 210 Park Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Doug Lawrence of San Marcos will discuss violin-making. Information: Ray Brooks, (760) 489-7187; http://www.ncwood.org.

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 quart 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. Feb. 17: Volunteers are invited to join ranger staff for trail maintenance.

• 9 a.m. Feb. 17: Naturalist Simone Green for a moderate to strenuous five-mile hike and talk about how plants were used for food, medicine, clothing and building supplies.

• 9 a.m. Feb. 25: Naturalist and biologist Carol Stanford will lead a moderate four-mile hike and talk about the plants and animals of the ranch.

'Women in Health' luncheon on tap

ESCONDIDO - Palomar Pomerado Health and the American Heart Association will present the 2007 "Women in Health" luncheons. The six-part series is designed to create an environment all about women - exploring their health, interests, concerns and lifestyle issues.

The first luncheon, "What Is Your Cardiac IQ?," will focus on heart health, and will be held Feb. 21 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. The speakers will be cardiologist Robert Stein, registered nurse Barbara Buesch and heart attack survivor Suzie Arnegger. News 8 anchor Barbara-Lee Edwards will emcee the event.

Health screenings, including blood pressure, body composition and cholesterol, will be offered from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon from 11:30 to 1 p.m.

Cost is $25. To register, call the HealthSource at (800) 628-2880 or go to http://www.pph.org.

Remaining luncheons will be held on the first Wednesdays of April, June, August, October and December.

Poway library plans events for kids

POWAY - The Poway branch of the San Diego County Library, 13137 Poway Road, will host these programs for children this month. For information, call (858) 513-2900.

• 3 to 4 p.m. today: Drop-in Craft. All ages can make a Valentine's Day card.

• 4 p.m. Feb. 27: Chinese New Year Puppet Show. Listen to a retelling of the traditional Chinese Tale, "Weaving of a Dream."

• 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays: Toddler Storytime for toddlers up to age 3, featuring stories, music and fingerplays. No sign-up is required.

• 10:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays: Preschool Storytime for preschoolers ages 3 to 5, featuring stories, music and fingerplays. No sign-up is required.

• Grandparents and Books: Share a book with Grandpa Bob from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and with Grandpa Marty from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

• 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays: Read to a Real, Furry Friend. Provided by Love on a Leash, therapy dogs provide kids with unconditional, positive emotional support for developing confidence in reading.

Rubio's to hold blood drives

NORTH COUNTY - San Diego Blood Bank blood drives will be held at these Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill locations.

• 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Feb. 15, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, 1664 Main St., Suite A, Ramona.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, 13504 Poway Road, Poway.

Donors will receive a voucher for a free Rubio's meal (up to $7 value), as well as a voucher for a free whale watching trip. They also can join the San Diego Blood Bank's new Donor Difference program, which includes access to an online store for donors and the ability to track cholesterol, pulse and blood pressure after each donation.

Anyone age 17 or older in good health and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. Eating a good meal before donating is recommended.

For information and reservations, go to http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org or call (800) 4MY-SDBB.

Flamenco dance performance slated

POWAY - The Bernardo Concerts Association will host a performance by the Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Doors will open at 7:15.

The ensemble, which is comprised of 11 dancers and four musicians, performs renditions of Spanish classical and original folk dances along with a fiery presentation of Flamenco.

For information, call (858) 485-9063 or (858) 451-6614.

Soroptimists to host fundraising gala

RANCHO BERNARDO - Six distinguished community members will be honored by Soroptimist International of Rancho Bernardo at its 17th annual Gold and Silver Ball on March 10 at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo.

The honorees are Nick Anastasopoulos, community support; Bill and Sue Evarts, international goodwill and understanding; Vincene Parrinello, making a difference; Pat Roberts, education; and Rebecca Nagorski, human rights and status of women.

The ball will be an elegant affair and will include recognition of honorees, dinner, dancing and a dessert dash.

For tickets and information, call Carol Walterscheidt at (858) 675-7613.

Historical Society seeks RB memories

RANCHO BERNARDO - The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society is looking for a few good memories. Those who have lived in the area are invited to share their memories, historical facts, photos and stories for inclusion in a book titled "Reminisces of By Gone Days."

Interviewers are available to come to those who are more comfortable with telling their stories rather than writing them. Photos of early Rancho Bernardo also are welcome.

The deadline for submission of articles and photos is July 1. Send materials by e-mail to mofucci@sbcglobal.net or call (858) 675-8077 for appointments and information.

Seniors can get help with wills

RANCHO BERNARDO - Rancho Bernardo Senior Services, 16789 Bernardo Center Drive, Suite K-14, offers will services free of charge the last two Fridays of each month. The only criteria is that the wills must be kept simple, i.e. leaving assets to spouses and/or children. Half-hour appointments are available between 1 and 4 p.m. For reservations, call (858) 487-2640.

Senior Center plans Valentine's party, dance

SAN MARCOS - The San Marcos Senior Center, 111 W. Richmar Ave., will hold a Valentine's Day party Feb. 14. Entertainment, to begin at 10:45 a.m., will be provided by Neil Kovrig, a gifted singer and college student who is involved in local government.

A chicken cordon bleu lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $3 for seniors ages 60 and older; cost for all others is $5. For reservations, call the center at (760) 744-5535 the day before. To request transportation, call Jerry at (760) 744-5535, Ext. 3605. For information, call Deborah at (760) 744-5535, Ext. 3606.

In addition, the senior center will hold a Valentine's Day ballroom dance from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 15. Live music will be provided by Billy Harper and the Hot Shots. Refreshments will be served.

Outdoor fitness program offered

SAN MARCOS - The North County Physical Conditioning Club is starting a unique outdoor group fitness training program this month. Unlike other outdoor group fitness classes, all NCPCC classes will be coed and will focus strictly on health and fitness, not on mimicking military training.

The owner of NCPCC is Aaron Harris, a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise. Two different, four-week-long programs provide local residents with an affordable way to work out under the supervision of a personal trainer.

Registration and information: http://www.NCPCC.net, (760) 295-4206.

Writers panel planned at book store

MIRA MESA - Barnes & Noble Booksellers and the Romance Writers of America San Diego will hold a writers panel and booksigning at 7 p.m. Feb. 16.

Local authors Chris Marie Green, P.J. Mellor and Celia May Hart will talk about how they get their ideas, how to get an agent, who their favorite characters are and networking opportunities within the Romance Writers of America organization. The published authors on the panel write in the genres of romance, urban fantasy and erotica.

Barnes & Noble is at 10775 Westview Parkway.

Garden club to meet Feb. 14

POWAY - The Poway Valley Garden Club will meet Feb. 14 at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Refreshments will be served at 9 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 9:30. At 10:30 a.m., master gardener Bob Miller will speak on "Planning/Planting a Spring Garden."

Senior center holds Valentine dance

OCEANSIDE - The Oceanside Senior Center will hold a Valentine dance featuring music by a disc jockey from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at 455 Country Club Lane. Admission is $3 and anyone age 55 and older is welcome. Single, unattached gentlemen will get in free. Refreshments will be served. Call (760) 435-5250.

Learn to be your own private investigator

OCEANSIDE - MiraCosta College's Community Services Program will hold How to be Your Own Private Investigator, a one-day workshop, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Room 3205 at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive.

Adoptees, attorneys, birth parents, bill collectors, brokers, business owners and others will profit from this workshop, which covers the sources used by private investigators. Topics will include where public records are and how to search them, what databases are and how to use them and how to conduct asset searches and background investigations. No license is needed in California if you are investigating for yourself.

Instructor is a licensed private investigator Jim Harriger. Fee for the workshop is $37. For more information or to register, call (760) 795-6820 or visit http://www.miracosta.edu/commsvcs.

LIFE at MiraCosta will not meet

OCEANSIDE - LIFE at MiraCosta, a lifelong learning group, will not meet Feb. 16 due to observance of Presidents Day. For future meeting information, call Tillie at (760) 721-8124.

Oceanside Pop Warner, Cheer sign-ups set

OCEANSIDE - Oceanside Pop Warner Football and Cheer sign-ups will be accepted at the following times. Coaching applications also will be accepted during all scheduled sign-ups. Call (760) 726-8124 or visit http://www.eteamz.com/opw.

• Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Park, 4500 Mesa Drive.

• Feb. 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Martin Luther King Park, 4500 Mesa Drive.

• March 1, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Community Rooms, Oceanside City Hall Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway.

• March 8, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Community Rooms, Oceanside City Hall Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway.

Church to hold blood drive

OCEANSIDE - The First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 18 in the back parking lot of the church, 2001 El Camino Real. Currently, supplies of all types of blood are very low in Southern California due to low blood donor response. Anyone age 17 or older in good health may be eligible to donate blood. For reservation information, call (760) 757-3560.

OMA holds art quilt classes

OCEANSIDE - Art Quilt Exploration classes will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, March 16 to April 27 (no class April 6), at the Oceanside Museum of Art School of Art, 219 N. Coast Highway. This six-week class will appeal to the art quilter or traditional quilter, artist and non-artist alike. The class will explore hand-sewing combined with traditional embroidery, using fabric, ribbons, beads, buttons, found objects, paint and transfer methods. No experience necessary. A materials list will be provided upon registration.

Cost is $75 for OMA members; $95 for nonmembers, plus a $30 materials fee. Call instructor Jane LaFazio at (858) 451-6429 or OMA, (760) 721-2787.

Arts Alive banners on display

OCEANSIDE - For the seventh year, the Arts Alive project's banners are now on display on Coast Highway through May 12. The theme of this year's banner project is "Oceanside Icons: People, Places and Things." The public can bid on the banners. Bidding begins at $100 and will be finalized at an auction May 18. Those interested can place a bid before the auction at the MainStreet Oceanside office, 214 N. Coast Highway.

The auction on May 18 will be held in conjunction with the kickoff of the 2007 Oceanside Fireworks Fundraiser. There will be food, music, the banner auction and a raffle. For more information, contact Judy Clark at (760) 754-1625 or Cindy Dreibelbis at (760) 439-0476 or visit http://www.msoceanside.com.

OHS class of 1997 holds reunion

OCEANSIDE - Oceanside High School class of 1997 will hold its 10-year reunion July 13 through 15. Organizers are seeking classmates who may not have received an invitation. E-mail Angela (Castilla) Ferrin at outlaw379@hotmail.com.

Catholics, other Christians in the Holy Land is topic

OCEANSIDE - The Spirited Seniors of the Church of St. Thomas More will sponsor a presentation on the current situation of Catholics and other Christians in the Holy Land. The presentation will take place at 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at the church at 1450 S. Melrose Drive. There is no charge and reservations are not required. Light refreshments will be served.

Presenters will include Fr. Michael Ratajszak, who has made five pilgrimages to the Holy Land over the last several years; Charles V. Radloff of Rancho Bernardo, who has spent a portion of each of the last several years in the Holy Land helping the Latin Patriarchate and Palestinian Christian community deal with the dismal political and economic conditions with which they must contend; and James McGlone, who made a two-week pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1999.

The presentation will be followed by an open forum question-and-answer session. Call (760) 758-4100.

Neighborhood Watch to meet

OCEANSIDE - A Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at 3855 Mission Ave, between the Police Department and the library. The topic of the meeting will be crime prevention.

Medicare worksho to be held March 7

OCEANSIDE - A new 2007 Workshop on Medicare will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 7 at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane. This free workshop is designed to help people on Medicare understand their health care options and benefits for 2007. The workshop will provide attendees with the whole picture of the new Medicare Advantage-MA plan choices for 2007 and provide Part D Prescription plan updates.

Information will be presented by Nick Salerno Jr. from the Senior Transition Advisory Group. Salerno is one of San Diego's leading authorities on Medicare coverage and owner of SSIS, an independent agency specializing in the Medicare field since 1982. Call (760) 435-5250.

Plans for book fair begin to develop

FALLBROOK - Plans are beginning for "Art & the Book," a one-day festival featuring the sale of rare, collectible first-edition books and more from the collections of several Southern California Friends of the Library groups. Other features of the event will be artists, authors, music workshops and demonstrations.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1 at Main and Alvarado. The streets will be closed.

The Friends of the Fallbrook Library is underwriting the event; no sponsorships will be solicited. Partcipants will not be charged a fee or percentage of sales. Voluntary donations will be accepted.

Since Main Street will be closed, merchants and businesses may be interested in some of the following activities: hosting an author for book signings in their store, having an artist in the store, doing a special display, serving refreshments in the store.

Other activities are planned at the art center, including "Pleasures at the Table," April 1 through 6, with a condensed version moving to the salon for one month. THe show will feature works related to the community read selection and books in general to include, but not limited to: paintings and photos of food and related themes, quilts with French themes from the Fallbrook Quilt Guild, photos from the featured community read book, table settings with possible settings by the Fallbrook Garden Club, rare books, "Julia's Kitchen," Art Center front window, may remain up all month, and a Friends of the Library silent auction.

Organizers also are planning a "Good Taste wine tasting" April 4 at the center, details to be determined. Proceeds would be split between the Friends of the Library and the Art Center.

In addition, the event will be the official kickoff to the 2007 community read. This year's featured book will be "My Life in France" by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme.

Runners club expands

FALLBROOK - The local runners club is expanding and will hold its Saturday Fun Run & Walk starting from the parking lot behind the Fallbrook Library at 7:30 a.m. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Light refreshments will be available at the finish.

The club also will be holding its Sunday Fun Run & Walk starting from the parking lot at the Pala Mesa Resort at 6:30 a.m.

Organizers soon hope to start an evening workout at the Fallbrook High School track. The workout will be coached and likely be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. Both walkers and runners will be welcome. Those interested in participating in a track workout on a weekday evening, e-mail hammerin77@yahoo.com.

Library group plans essay contest

SAN DIEGO - The Library Friends of San Diego County, an umbrella organization of Friends of the Library groups of the branches of the San Diego County Library, announces the 2007 topic for its annual essay contest for students and adults: "How My Library Could Be Even Better."

Entries may be submitted at any branch of the San Diego County Library by April 28. Essays should not exceed 500 words. Each participant is allowed one entry.

Judging will take place in two age categories: Students through grade 12 and adults.

The first place winner in each of the two divisions will receive $100; second place winners $50; and third place winners $25 at a meeting of the Library Friends. All six winners will also be recognized at an official, televised meeting of the County Board of Supervisors.

Judging will be done on the basis of presentation, originality and correctness.

Entrants will be asked to allow their essays to be published by the library and media in support of library promotion. Full credit will be given to the authors. All entrants will receive a certificate of participation suitable for framing.

The entry form is available online at www.sdcl.org.docs/EssayContest.pdf and at all branches of the county Library. Locations are listed at the library's Web site www.sdcl.org/locations.html and also in the government section of the phone book under San Diego County Library, as well as from the East County and North County mobile libraries. Entries should likewise be submitted to any branch of the San Diego County Library or to one of the county's two mobile libraries.

For more information, contact Lfsdcessay@yahoo.com or call Dick Wayman (760) 788-7908; Susan Davis (858) 679-0410; or Katie Harte (760) 436-9421.