Questers chapter to meet Sept. 4

RANCHO BERNARDO -- Questers Rancho Monserate Chapter 1261 will meet at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Remington Club, 16916 Hierba Drive. Questers are people who care about the past, like to learn and are active participants in the preservation and restoration of historical building and landmarks. The group also takes bus tours to famous homes, museums and antique malls.

The Rancho Monserate chapter meets the first Thursday of each month. Call Freya Renaker at (760) 749-3204.

Free hikes offered at Daley Ranch

ESCONDIDO -- Free guided nature hikes are offered at Daley Ranch. All trails include steep and/or slippery sections. Bring at least two liters of water; wear a hat, sunscreen and hiking boots or treaded footwear. Youths under 18 must be with an adult. No pets. Unless otherwise noted, meet at the La Honda Drive entrance. A shuttle with handicapped accessibility runs Sundays.

The hike schedule and trail map are online at www.ci.escondido.ca.us. Reserve to (760) 839-4680.

Upcoming hikes:

- 5:50 a.m. Sept. 5 and 12, "Shun the Sun Mystery Tour." Beat the heat by joining naturalist Kathleen Flanagan's early morning hike. Based on the group's make-up, she will select a trail for a fast-paced, strenuous walk of about 7 miles.

- 8:30 a.m. Sept. 6, "Before, During & After a Wildfire." Naturalist Dorothy Klitzing will talk about being prepared for wildfires and survival in both urban and rural wild fires on this 3.26-mile hike.

- 6 p.m. Sept. 9 and 23, "Stroll Around the Ranch." Naturalist Michelle Capodice will lead a leisurely hike to the Ranch House and talk about the local plants and animals.

- 8 p.m. Sept. 13, "Red-diamond Rattlesnakes." Naturalist Jack Pomeroy will lead a moderately strenuous, 4-mile hike and talk about the rocks, common plants and rattlesnakes.

- 8:30 a.m. Sept. 13, "More Walk, Less Talk." Naturalists Simone Green and Barbara Van Horn will lead a hike from the Cougar Pass Trailhead. The moderately strenuous hike will last about three hours.

- 9 a.m. Sept. 14, "Daley Ranch Scenery." A diverse plant population and expansive views are waiting to be enjoyed on naturalist Rick Paul's occasionally strenuous 4-mile hike. Meet at the Cougar Pass parking lot.

'Kiss Me Kate' auditions set

ESCONDIDO -- Arts Off Broadway will hold auditions for an adult-cast production of the musical "Kiss Me Kate" from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 5 and noon-2 p.m. Sept. 6 at Best Foot Forward Dance Studio, 1320-A E. Valley Parkway. Callbacks will be Sept. 6 starting at 3 p.m.

This show will have a professional production crew and specialized sets and costumes. There is no actor's fee.

Performances are scheduled for Nov. 14-16 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Information: (760) 735-3302; www.artsoffbroadway.org.

Police, firefighters to host Patriot Week events

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Firefighters and Police Associations will sponsor Patriot Week events beginning Sept. 5 at Cruisin' Grand from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Escondido.

The streets will come alive with antique fire trucks and police cars, displays and free rides. The showcased vehicle will be the California State Firefighters' Association's 1902 American Fire Engine Company horse-drawn steam fire engine. Also featured at Grand and Broadway will be the Escondido Fire Department's 1926 American La France "Ol' Betsy," and the Firefighters' Association 1956 Crown Coach Ford Fire Engine. Many other emergency response vehicles from the past and present will be on display.

The sixth annual 9/11 memorial softball tournament will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 6 at Kit Carson park. Four law enforcement teams will compete with four fire service teams for the coveted trophy, with proceeds benefiting local charities.

The final event of Patriot Week will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 11 at the train depot in Grape Day Park. The names of those who died in the 9/11 attacks will be read.

Call (760) 390-5364.

Artists invited to submit work

ESCONDIDO -- Local and regional artists are invited to submit work for a show titled "Art Riot" at the Escondido Municipal Gallery. Receiving will be from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6 at the gallery's new location, 262 E. Grand Ave.

All media types will be considered for jurying. Artists can submit up to two pieces of art work. Information: www.escondidoarts.org; (760) 480-4101.

Grape Day centennial celebration set

ESCONDIDO -- The centennial celebration of the city's Grape Day Festival and Parade will be held Sept. 6.

The parade will travel on Grand Avenue between Escondido Boulevard and Juniper Street beginning at 9:30 a.m. This year's Grand Marshal is Allene Bandy Robinson, whose grandfather, Tom Bandy, opened his blacksmith shop in Escondido in 1908. The parade will feature dignitaries, equestrians, floats, marching groups, bands and antique automobiles.

The festival in Grape Day Park will run from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The free event will include grape stomping, free grapes provided by Jimbo's Naturally!, entertainment stage, demonstrations, 80-plus booths, international food court, fun zone, bake sale, art show, Escondido History Center museum tours and more. Reigning over the festivities will be Grape Day King George Cordry and Queen Shirley Cordry. The longtime Escondido residents are being honored for their deep affection and promotion of the community.

Information: (760) 743-4382.

Health services for seniors offered

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

- A blood pressure clinic is held Mondays from 8:30-9 a.m. for staff and volunteers and from 9-10 a.m. for the public. No appointment is necessary.

- Diabetes blood sugar screening will be offered from 7:30-9 a.m. Sept. 5 and 19. Do not eat, drink or take medication before coming in. No appointment is necessary. This service is offered on the first and third Fridays of each month.

- Local dentist Dr. Randy Jungman will conduct dental screenings from 9-10:15 a.m. Sept. 10. This service is offered the second Wednesday of each month. Appointment required.

- Audiologist David Illich will conduct and interpret professional hearing tests at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8. This service is offered the second Monday of the month. Appointment required.

- Ophthalmologist Dr. Irene Chennell will conduct eye screenings for glaucoma and cataracts at 9 a.m. Sept. 18. This service is offered the third Thursday of each month. Appointment required.

Call (760) 480-0611.

American Legion Auxiliary to host breakfast

ESCONDIDO -- The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 149 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 230 Park Ave.

The menu will include eggs to order, sausage, home fries, biscuits and gravy, fruit, juice and coffee for a $6 donation. Proceeds benefit veterans, children and youths, community services and other programs of the auxiliary.

The American Legion Auxiliary meets the first Thursday of each month at the same location. The group is seeking new members to help with its programs. Wives, sisters, daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters of veterans can join. Dues are $20 a year; $3 for youths under 18. Call Irene at (760) 741-1813.

2nd Tuesday Book Club to meet

ESCONDIDO -- The Escondido Public Library invites readers to the 2nd Tuesday Book Club meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 in the Turrentine Room at the main library, 239 S. Kalmia St. This month's selection is "The Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian.

Upcoming titles include "Evidence of Things Unseen" by Marianne Wiggins on Oct.14, and "Birth of Venus" by Sarah Dunant on Dec. 9. No meeting Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

lnformation: www.library.escondido.org; (760) 839-4839.

Vision and ADHD is seminar topic

SAN MARCOS -- A seminar for parents, teachers and professionals will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at It's Academic Tutoring Center, 1615 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road, Suite A.

Attendees can learn how to identify vision problems that imitate attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder or make it worse. The seminar will include an update on the state of current research and clinical solutions. Reserve to (951) 234-1915.

Women's group to host Ken Kramer

RANCHO PENASQUITOS -- The Diamond Gateway Women's Organization will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Riviera Room at the Double Tree Golf Resort, 14455 Penasquitos Drive.

Ken Kramer of Channel 7/39's "About San Diego" will speak. Kramer takes a look at some aspect of the county's history and people and presents the funny, the odd and the fascinating.

The Diamond Gateway Women's Organization is a community service and social club. Activities include bridge, bunco, dominoes, lunch, crafts and excursions. The group holds two fundraisers each year to raise money for local charities. Call (858) 484-5372.

Card-making class offered

POWAY -- Stamping Details will offer a "Distress Cards" card-making class from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and again from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 15 at the store, 14009 Midland Road. Apply acrylic paints to card stock coated with gesso and blend color to create three cards with complex backgrounds. Cost of $23 includes supplies. Information: www.stampingdetails.com; (858) 513-8024.

Classes offered for people with vision loss

NORTH COUNTY -- The Braille Institute will offer two free programs that are designed to teach people how to remain independent despite loss of vision.

Scheduled to run from Sept. 11-Oct. 16, classes will be held Thursdays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Belmont Village, 13075 Evening Creek Drive South, Sabre Springs; and from 2-3 p.m. at The Gateway, 12751 Gateway Park Road, Poway.

To sign up, call Vicki Zimmerman-Fox at (858) 452-1111, Ext. 5033.

OASIS class registration to begin

ESCONDIDO -- OASIS North County will begin registering adults 50 and older for fall and winter classes this month. Mail-in registration will begin Sept. 4, and walk-in and online registration Sept. 8.

Walk-in registration can be completed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays at the OASIS office on the third floor of the former Robinsons-May store at Westfield North County Mall in Escondido. Most classes are held at this location. Some are offered at the Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center in Vista and the Rancho Penasquitos Library.

OASIS offers challenging classes in the arts, humanities, sciences, computers, exercise, health and wellness, consumer information, finances and more. Travel opportunities also are available. Trimester registration fee is $3; class fees are nominal.

Information: (760) 432-0635; www.oasisnet.org/escondido.

CORRECTION: Wrong date given for Daley Ranch hike

A brief that appeared Tuesday on Page B-2 of some editions of the North County Times gave the incorrect date and time for a "Red-diamond Rattlesnakes" hike at Daley Ranch in Escondido. The hike will be held at 8 a.m. Sept. 13. Reserve to (760) 839-4680.