Carlsbad Republican Women tap luncheon speaker

CARLSBAD -- Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute will be the guest speaker at the Carlsbad Republican Women luncheon at 11 a.m. Jan. 27 at The Hilton Gardens Inn, 6450 Carlsbad Blvd. Cost is $25. Reserve by Jan. 21 to (760) 434-6478.

Italian American club hosts dinner dance

ESCONDIDO -- The Italian American Social Club will host its monthly dinner dance from 5 to 9 p.m Jan. 17 at Resurrection Church Hall, 1445 Conway Drive. Music will be provided by John Buzon. Cost is $15 for members paying by Jan. 12, and $20 for members and guests at the door. Call (760) 728-6241 or (760) 746-7395.

Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary adoptions Jan. 10

ESCONDIDO -- Coldwell Banker Real Estate will host pet adoptions for the Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10 at the real estate office at 10320 E. Meadow Glen Way. The $85 adoption fees for cats and the $125 adoption fees for dogs cover spay and neutering and two shots. The no-kill sanctuary also is looking for volunteers. Call (760) 583-6277.

Church to present musical odyssey Jan. 10

ENCINITAS -- San Dieguito United Methodist Church will host a concert by April Verch at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at 170 Calle Magdalena. Tickets for members are $18 and $22 for nonembers at the door or online at ticketweb.com.

Encinitas YMCA waives sign-up fee for one day

ENCINITAS -- The Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA will offer memberships without having to pay the initiial sign-up fee of up to $150 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10 at the facility at 200 Saxony Road. Call (760) 942-9622, Ext. 1007.

Annual clothing drive scheduled

The 10th anniversary of the "Share your Warmth Day Clothing" drive will go from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 10 at several dropoff sites. The items needed are clean blankets, sweaters, jackets and socks. Dropoffs are at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 334 14th St., Del Mar, and Brother Benno's, 3260 Production Ave., Oceanside. Call (760) 612-1425.

Commemorative wristbands for donating blood Jan. 10, 11

The San Diego Blood Bank is giving commemorative wristbands featuring San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers to the first 30 people who donate blood on Jan. 10 and Jan. 11. For locations and requirements, call (800) 4MY-SDBB or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.

Fourth- and fifth-graders offered free afterschool classes

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Children's Museum is hosting free afterschool art classes from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for fourth- and fifth-grade children from low-income Escondido families. The classes will be taught by artist Jane LaFazio at 380 N. Escondido Blvd. and will focus on self-portraits, puppet-making, papier mache, and more. Call (760) 739-9513.

Classes offer help with photos in Microsoft Word

VISTA -- Learn all about working with pictures, clip art, photos and more in Microsoft Word classes from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 through Feb. 18 at the McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Bring a 2GB flash drive loaded with your favorite photos to class. The cost is $38. Registration is required at the center or online at oasisnet.org.

Youth troupe will stage Cinderella

ESCONDIDO --Patio Playhouse's Youtheatre will stage the play "Cinderella" at 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays from Jan. 16 through Feb. 1. There will also be a matinee at 2 p.m. Jan. 24. The playhouse is at 201 E. Grand Ave., Suite 1D. Cost is $10 for adults and seniors, and $7 for students with identification. Call (760) 746-6669 or e-mail ppctheatre@aol.com.

Group to hold annual fundraiser luncheon

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The Brandeis National Committee will hold its annual fundraiser "Book and Author" luncheon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Authors Kate Jacobs, Christopher Reich and Yale Strom will participate. Call (858) 451-3577.

Lake San Marcos Democratic Club meeting Feb. 14

SAN MARCOS -- The Lake San Marcos Democratic Club will meet at 12:30 p.m. Feb.14 in the Lake Pavilion, 1105 La Bonita Drive. Call (760) 752-1035 or e-mail SOM12@aol.com.

Women's group schedules luncheon

ESCONDIDO -- The American Association of University Women will meet at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Escondido Country Club, 1800 Country Club Lane. Helene Idels and Catherine Laguna will discuss Escondido's history. A buffet lunch costs $16. Call (760) 739-0710.

Parent, friend network meets Jan. 17

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The Asperger's Syndrome Parent & Friend Network will meet at 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Starbucks at Rancho Bernardo Road and West Bernardo Drive. The group gives parents of children and young adults with Asperger's syndrome an opportunity to exchange ideas. The developmental disorder causes repetitive behavior patterns and makes it difficult to socialize. Call (858) 735-4017.

Music therapy group needs volunteers

SOLANA BEACH -- The Resounding Joy Inc. nonprofit group needs volunteers to participate in music therapy classes for children and adults with special needs. The classes will go from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Gathering Room at Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via de la Valle. Register online by Jan. 15, at resoundingjoyinc.org. Call (866) 800-0197.

Businesses donate $3,000 to charter school, volunteer

ESCONDIDO --Bond Pediatric Dentistry and San Diego Fencing each donated $1,500 as the newest classroom sponsors at The Classical Academy. Bond Pediatric will be on campus periodically teaching students about dental health. San Diego Fencing will hold fencing demonstrations Fridays on campus. Call (760) 213-6136 or e-mail mstanley@classicalacademycom.

Seminar has all the sweet facts about sugar

CARLSBAD -- Karmic Health and Dr. Cynthia Leeder will present a seminar on "The Sweet Truth About Sugar" from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 14 in Carlsbad. The seminar will focus in part on how the body processes sugar, and how sugar affects insulin, brain chemistry and emotions in children and adults. Cost is $20. Register to (760) 685-3154 or visit karmic-health.com.

Playhouse holds auditions for ages 5-8

ESCONDIDO -- Patio Playhouse Community and Youtheatre will hold auditions for ages 5-8 for its production of "Aladdin to Oz II" from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at 201 E. Grand Ave., Suite 201. Children will need to sing a one-minute song that includes movement, using their own instrumental-only CD for background. Call (760) 746-6669 or visit patioplayhouse.org.

Garden club will host meeting Jan. 24

DEL MAR -- Friendship Gardeners of Del Mar will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at a member's home. A guest speaker will discuss the care and propagation of African violets. Call (858) 841-2428.

Women's group holds monthly luncheon

OCEANSIDE -- The Oceanside Republican Women Federated will meet at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at the El Camino Golf and Country Club, 3202 Vista Way. Lunch will be served at noon. Call (760) 439-8148.

Aviva Chapter of Hadassah luncheon set for Jan. 27

POWAY -- The Aviva Chapter of Hadassah will hold its annual Women of Distinction luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Road. Cost is $20. Call (858) 451-5628.

City of Vista offers recreation classes

VISTA --- The City of Vista recreation department has several classes for adults and children. For a schedule, visit vistarecreation.com or e-mail khartung@cityofvista.com. Call (760) 726-1340, Ext.1572.

Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve offers free classes

POWAY -- Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve has scheduled several free classes over the next several months, including a night hike from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 23 with Ranger Peggy Hurley, who will talk about how constellations have become a part of history through mythology, observation and navigation. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight to look for animals along the way. Meet at the Goodan Ranch staging site. The hike is limited to 30 people. No dogs are allowed. For directions, registration and information, call (858) 513-4737 or e-mail maureen.abare@sdcounty.ca.gov. Clouds or rain will cancel any event scheduled.

Volunteers needed for school program

CARLSBAD -- The city of Carlsbad is looking for volunteers to teach lessons to third-graders about local government and businesses. Materials, training and support are provided. Volunteers will need to commit to nine hours. Call (760) 436-0140 or e-mail citystuff1@roadrunner.com.

Parent-advocates group meets Jan. 15

POWAY -- The Parent Advocates Seeking Solutions group will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15 at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 16275 Pomerado Road. The support group is for parents of children ages 15 and older who have developmental disabilities. Visit powaypass.com.

'Coastal Gardener' host to be guest at meeting

DEL MAR -- The San Diego Horticultural Society meets at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at Surfside Race Place, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Dave Egbert, host of "The Coastal Gardener," will be the guest speaker. The meeting is free for members and $5 for nonmembers. Free parking. Call (760) 295-7089 or visit sdhortsoc.org.

Six-week art classes scheduled at Gallery 204

VISTA -- Gallery 204 offers a pastel workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at 204 Main St. There will also be a six-week class, "Introduction to Drawing," from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays beginning Jan. 26. Call (760) 727-0939 or e-mail Marylakeart@gmail.com.

Acrylic, watercolor classes start soon

ESCONDIDO -- The Art Studio will host a watercolor class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 24 and an acrylic class from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31 at 2048 Ridgecrest Place, Escondido. Both classes are for beginners and intermediates. Cost is $90, which includes supplies and a book. Call (760) 489-9109, e-mail cathy@artstudiosandiego.com or visit artstudiosandiego.com.

Six-week workshop set at Philosophical Library

ESCONDIDO -- The Philosophical Library is offering a six-week workshop on "Breaking Free" from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at 2091 E. Valley Parkway, Suite D. The classes will be led by Rhoda Reilly, a licensed psychotherapist and hypnotherapist. Registration is $95 before Jan. 10 and $120 after that. Call (760) 742-1392.

Vista seniors sought for volunteer school program

VISTA -- Carolyn Collins from the OASIS group of the Vista senior center will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 at the McClellan Senior Center to discuss opportunities for seniors to assist local elementary school students with reading, writing and language. The center is at 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Call (760) 432-0635 or visit oasisnet.org.

Daughters of the British Empire meeting in North County

FALLBROOK --Daughters of the British Empire will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2009 and will meet at noon Feb. 3 at 650 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road in San Marcos. Call (760) 731-7379, e-mail a.j.pack@att.net or visit dbesocal.org.

Health fair, 5K walk set for April

OCEANSIDE -- A free community health fair will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26 at the Oceanside Amphitheater, 200 N. Strand. The annual event offers more than 40 vendor booths with samples of health-related products and services. Free health screenings -- such as cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body fat checks -- will be given by the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation. You will need to fast 12 hours before receiving cholesterol or glucose screenings.

The 5K walk will start at 9 a.m., after a 30-minute aerobic warmup. The walk will start and finish at the Oceanside Pier next to the amphitheater. Wheelchairs and strollers are welcome and teams of walkers are encouraged. Entry fee is $25 for adults. Children 12 and under and military, firefighter, police officers and their families can walk for free. Visit cvdf.org for the entry form and online registration. Registration the day of the walk will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Call (760) 730-1471.