OCEANSIDE - MainStreet Oceanside has kicked off Arts Alive 2008 with an invitation to all local artists requesting participation in this year's banner project. Fifty banners are available for pick up at the MSO office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning Dec. 3 at 701 Mission Ave. A non-refundable entry fee of $50 will be collected to help offset expenses. The project theme this year is "OH Oceanside." Artists are encouraged to create a banner that reflects an Oceanside icon or what Oceanside means to them.

The deadline for finished banners is Jan. 30. They will be hung street side on Feb. 2. The banners will be on display downtown until May 10th. They will be available for viewing and bidding on http://www.msoceanside.com. A closing reception and silent auction will take place at the Elk's Lodge the following week in conjunction with the 2008 fireworks fundraiser. There will be a minimum bid of $100 per banner. The proceeds will be split evenly between the artist and MainStreet Oceanside. Call (760) 754-4512, Ext. 102.

High school diploma program offered

OCEANSIDE - MiraCosta College's free Adult High School Diploma Program is registering new students. Registration for Term III of the program, which runs Jan. 8 to March 12, will be held today through Dec. 20 at the Community Learning Center, 1831 Mission Ave. Call (760) 795-8710.

OMA Store Show set through Dec. 23

OCEANSIDE - Oceanside Museum of Art has turned its gift shop into a gallery showcasing the work of San Diego-area artists and hand-crafted items from around the world for a holiday fundraiser to benefit the museum. The OMA Museum Store Show offers an array of unique jewelry, hand-painted scarves, candleholders, bookends, carved boxes, note-cards and books on art, artists and architecture. There is also a children's section.

A special new feature in the store is a selection of finely crafted hand-blown glass, one-of-a-kind ceramics, teapots and table-top dÈcor items with a whimsical twist. OMA wishes to thank Gallery Alexander and Charles Koehler for their generous contribution to the OMA Museum Store Show.

The OMA Museum Store Show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23. Oceanside Museum of Art is located at 704 Pier View Way in downtown Oceanside. Information: (760) 721-2787, http://www.oma-online.org.

AARP tax aid volunteers needed

OCEANSIDE - The AARP Tax-Aide Program offered at the senior centers in Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Carlsbad and Encinitas are seeking volunteers to assist in the preparation of federal and state tax returns for middle- and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to those 60 and older. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. The program also is seeking people with management and/or administrative experience to assist in the management and oversight of the program.

Volunteers receive one week of free tax training at a local site in January. From Feb. 1 through April 15, volunteers help taxpayers at the senior centers using computers and tax preparation software. Contact Chuck Youde at (760) 967-6967.

Museum to host Anderson concert

CARLSBAD - The Museum of Making Music will host award-winning guitarist Muriel Anderson for an evening of memorable music at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the museum, at 5790 Armada Drive. Anderson will be joined by Thom Bresh, son of the legendary Merle Travis. Cost is $20 for general admission, $15 for members and $8 for students. Reservations are required. Information: (760) 438-5996, Ext. 212, http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org.

Opera Previews to expand

CARLSBAD - The Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office will expand the San Diego Opera's lecture series, "Opera Previews," by musicologist Dr. Ron Shaheen with two additional presentations: the Carlsbad to Karlovy Vary Vocal Competition and a film screening of two classics, "What's Opera, Doc?" starring Bugs Bunny and "A Night at the Opera" with the Marx Brothers, with commentary by North County Times columnist Ann Zivotsky.

Programs will be held at 10 a.m. Saturdays in Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane at El Camino Real. Programs include: Jan. 26, opera preview of Wagner's "Tannhauser"; Feb. 16, opera preview of Donizetti's "Mary, Queen of Scots;" Feb. 23, "Carlsbad to Karlovy Vary" Vocal Competition; March 1, "What's Opera, Doc?" and "A Night at the Opera" movie screening, Opera Previews Plus joins with the fifteenth annual Multicultural Arts Festival to screen two classic comedies for family audiences; March 22, opera preview, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci; April 12, opera preview of Verdi's grand opera, Aida; and May 3, opera preview of Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers." Free admission tickets are distributed beginning at 9:15 a.m. Call (760) 434-2904; http://www.carlsbadca.gov/arts.

Volunteers sought for citizen committees

SOLANA BEACH - Solana Beach residents are invited to apply for positions on the city's five Citizen Committees/Commissions. Applications are being accepted until Jan. 10 at City Hall, 635 S. Highway 101. Information: (858) 720-2400, http://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us.

Toastmasters meet weekly

ENCINITAS - Encinitas Moonlighter's Toastmasters Club at noon Thursdays at Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. Learn to speak in public with no fear in a supportive and positive learning environment. Information: (760) 633-2793; http://www.moonlighters.us.

Support offered for families

ENCINITAS - Families Anonymous, the 12-step, self-help support program for parents, relatives and friends who are concerned about substance abuse of a loved one, meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays in the community room, San Diego National Bank, 131 N. El Camino Real.

Rotary meets at Chart House

CARDIFF - The Encinitas-La Costa Rotary Club meets at 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays at the Chart House, 2588 S. Coast Highway 101. Information: (760) 944-1056; http://www.elcrotary.org.

Project provides senior services

ENCINITAS - Free senior services are available through Project C.A.R.E. (Community Action to Reach the Elderly) at the center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. These free services are offered as a safety net: Vial of Life, Gatekeeper, Postal Alert, Home Safety Check, You Are Not Alone and "Are You Okay." Call (760) 943-2255.

Shelter seeks foster pet families

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center is seeking volunteer foster parents and families to assist with caring for orphaned pets that are too young to be adopted or have special medical needs. Training is provided. Information: (858) 756-4117, Ext. 375, http://www.animalcenter.org.

Watercolors on exhibit at gallery

SOLANA BEACH - "The River," a collection of watercolors by artist Sue Hopkins, will be on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through Dec. 22 at the Studio of Art and Design, 616 Stevens Ave, Suite C. Call (858) 755-6202.

'Home 4 the Holidays' adopt a pet drive

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center, home to the ninth annual "Iams Home 4 the Holidays" pet adoption drive, invites the public to give animals a loving and secure home during the holiday season. The kennels and cattery are open every day (except Christmas) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Adoption applications accepted till 5:45 p.m. The pet adoption drive continues through Jan. 3. Information: (858) 756-4117, option 1, http://www.animalcenter.org.

Finding first friends at animal center

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center will hold its "First Friends" winter session from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, Jan. 15 to April 18 at the center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Kids (ages 2 to 5) get up close with the animals during the parent-participation class, an ideal opportunity to introduce little ones to proper pet etiquette. Cost is $12 per child. Information: (858) 756-4117, Ext. 318; http://www.animalcenter.org.

Center to offer 'Winter Critter Camp'

RANCHO SANTA FE - The Helen Woodward Animal Center will offer its "Winter Critter Camp" from Dec. 31 to Jan. 4 (no camp Jan. 1) at the center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for pre-kindergarten, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday for kindergarten through fifth grade. Kids interact with animals, and each day has a different topic. Information: (858) 756-4117, Ext. 318; http://www.animalcenter.org.

Animal Lovers Club meets at Woodward

RANCHO SANTA FE - Kids ages 6 to 14 participate in the classes offered through the Helen Woodward Animal Center and the Animal Lovers Club from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and Dec. 30 at the center, 6461 El Apajo Road. Kids expand their animal knowledge with hands on interactions and observations of the animals at the center. Cost is $30 per class. Information: (858) 756-4117, Ext. 318; http://www.animalcenter.org.