San Luis Rey Chorale and Orchestra to perform at church

OCEANSIDE -- Lighthouse Christian Church will present a reunion concert by the San Luis Rey Chorale and Orchestra at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 at the church, 4700 Mesa Drive.

Admission is free to the event. Childcare is provided for children up to 3 years old.

The chorale and orchestra, a staple in Oceanside for many years, decided to disband last year. The concerts at Lighthouse on Sunday and Monday will be a reunion for the group and will feature conductor David Lewis.

The concert will consist of seasonal favorites presented by the choir and orchestra.

Blood, bone marrow drive set for Dec. 28

OCEANSIDE --Friends and neighbors of 10-year-old Jonathan Gonzales invite the public to a blood and bone marrow drive in his name from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 28 at Calvary Chapel, 3715 Oceanic Way. Gonzales was recently diagnosed with aplastic anemia and has already required blood transfusions. He is also searching for a matching bone marrow donor to cure his disease. Potential bone marrow donors can join the National Marrow Donor Program registry with a simple cheek swab. Candidates should be between ages 18 and 60; have no history of asthma, cancer, diabetes, neck or back problems, heart or circulatory disease; be within 20 percent of their ideal weight as set by the program; and be willing to donate to anyone who needs a transplant.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in generally good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may qualify to donate blood. To schedule a blood donation appointment, call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

MiraCosta's 'Heartland' tapped for festival

OCEANSIDE -- MiraCosta College's recent production of "Heartland" has been selected as a regional finalist at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, and its cast and crew have been invited to perform the play at the regional festival set for February at Cal State Fullerton.

"Heartland" was written by La Jolla playwrights Anita Simons and Lauren Simon, and had its premiere production in November. Directed by MiraCosta Theatre Instructor Eric Bishop, "Heartland" is one of just six productions selected out of 89 contenders in a five-state area for inclusion in the regional finals.

Members from the Kennedy Center's National Team will view the production for consideration for the national festival, which will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in April 2009.

Senior center funds hospice work

ESCONDIDO -- The Elizabeth Hospice has received a $3,000 grant from the Escondido Joslyn Senior Center. The award will support the unfunded programs of The Elizabeth Hospice's Center for Compassionate Care, providing counseling services and specialized support for adults, children, and families in North San Diego County. Escondido's Joslyn Senior Center provides a wide range of services to older adults, with membership starting at age 50. The Elizabeth Hospice has a 30-year tradition of providing medical, emotional and spiritual support to the terminally ill and their families. Since opening its doors, The Elizabeth Hospice has provided services to more than 70,000 patients and families in northern San Diego County, regardless of their ability to pay. Call (760) 737-2050 or visit http://www.elizabethhospice.org.

Symphony to offer seasonal concert

OCEANSIDE -- The North Coast Symphony will present "An Orchestral Holiday Celebration," a concert of light classics and holiday tunes, at 7:30 Dec. 21 in MiraCosta College's theater, 1 Barnard Drive. The program will feature Schubert's Symphony in B Minor, also known as the "Unfinished Symphony," and Faure's "Pavanne," as well as "The Glorious Sounds of Christmas," "The Bells of Christmas" and a medley of other favorites. Cost is $10 for general admission, $8 students and seniors. Call (760) 795-6815 from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays or visit http:/www.miracosta.edu/InstructionMusic/index.htm, or http://www.ncsymphony.net.

Drumming, didgeridoo to welcome New Year

CARLSBAD -- LifeWorks Spiritual Center will welcome the New Year with a performance by Melinda Rodriguez and her band of drummers and didgeridoo performers at 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. The service and performance will act as a farewell to year 2008 and welcome in 2009. Call (760) 815-9462.

Singles to meet for spaghetti dinner

ESCONDIDO -- Singles from the First United Methodist Church Escondido will host a spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at the church, 341 S. Kalmia St. Entertainment will be provided by the Dixie Strutters. Call (760) 745-5100 or http://www.fumcesc.com.

Bridge league to meet Jan. 4

OCEANSIDE -- American Contract Bridge League Unit 531 will meet for a Unit Game at 1 p.m. Jan. 4 at the Ocean Hills Country Club, Abravanel Hall, 4701 Leisure Village Way. A free lunch will be offered at 12:15 p.m., followed by the game. Cost is $7. Visit the Web site at http://www.acbldistrict22.com/531.

AARP group to discuss travel

ENCINITAS -- AARP San Dieguito Chapter 239 Encinitas will host a presentation on "New Travel Opportunities for 2009" at its general meeting at 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Encinitas Senior Center, 1130 Oak Crest Park Drive. Call (858) 755-5011.

MiraCosta to host driver training

CARDIFF/OCEANSIDE -- MiraCosta College's Community Services Program will offer classroom driver education and behind-the-wheel driver-training programs at its Cardiff and Oceanside campuses. Classes will meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 10 through Feb. 7 (no class Jan. 17) in Room 401, 3333 Manchester Ave., on the San Elijo campus. Classes will also meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 10 through Feb. 7 (no class Jan. 17), in Room 3601 at MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside.

Driver education will also be offered from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 27 through March 5 (no class Feb. 17 or Feb. 19) at El Camino High School Room 402, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside. MiraCosta College also offers after-school, evening and weekend times for behind-the-wheel training. These classes meet at Carlsbad High School, El Camino High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School, and at MiraCosta College's San Elijo and Oceanside campuses. Cost is $345 for combined programs, or $88 for driver education, $285 for behind-the-wheel training. Register to (760) 795-6825 or (760) 795-6820.