SAN DIEGO - Volunteers are needed for wildlife monitoring. The San Diego Tracking Team is offering free training to those interested in assisting with wildlife monitoring in San Diego County. Learn to recognize tracks of native mammal species and join an experienced tracker on one or more wildlife surveys.

Training will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve Ranch House. Bring a lunch and wear sturdy shoes. Reservations are not required.

From Interstate 15, take the Mercy Road exit and go west to Black Mountain Road. Turn right. Go left at the first light onto Canyonside Park Driveway and follow the signs to the Ranch House.

Information: (760) 715-4102; http://www.sdtt.org.

North County Soiree to present concert

SAN MARCOS - The North County Soiree will present "A Liederbrand Concert" or Evening of Song with Ayse Underhill, Jef Olson, Max, Chodos and Georgetta Psaros and four other accomplished local singers.

The concert will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at Meadowlark Church, 1918 Redwing St. There is no admission fee; however, donations will be accepted for the Kiwanis arts in schools program.

Accompanied by internationally acclaimed pianist, John Danke, the program will delight and engage the audience with a wonderful variety of German lieder (song) and German arias sung by professional classical singers.

An open mike session will follow the concert at 8:30 p.m. and is open to other classical musicians.

Information: (760) 525-7233; http://www.northcountysundaysoiree.com.

Photo contest entries sought

NORTH COUNTY - All amateur photographers are invited to take part in the 2008 Photography Contest sponsored by Digital Imagery Productions.

"Sights of San Diego" is the focus of this year's contest. Photos featuring the people, places and natural beauty of San Diego County may be entered. To enter, go to www.Dipmemories.com or e-mail entries to Dipmemo ries@aol.com.

All entries will be displayed on the Digital Imagery Productions Web site at http://www.Dipmemories.com. Photos should express the joy of living in San Diego County and will be judged on creativity and originality among other areas. Four cash prizes will be awarded, including a $100 first-place prize. Entries will be accepted through Feb. 25.

Retirement group to meet Jan. 17

OCEANSIDE - The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, or NARFE, will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane.

Mitch Murray, field representative for U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray, will discuss activities related to retired federal employees. He will also answer questions.

Members and visitors are welcome. Information: Jo Murphy, (760) 757-5559; Pat Kyger, (760) 529-9455.

Theosophical discussion group meets weekly

SAN MARCOS - A North County group meets to discuss theosophical concepts from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sundays at the Old California Coffee House, 1080 San Marcos Blvd., No. 176, in Old California Restaurant Row.

The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 in an effort to promote the expressed awareness of the oneness of life. Its philosophy is a contemporary presentation of the perennial wisdom underlying the world's religions, sciences and philosophies.

For information, go to http://www.theosociety.org or call the society's international headquarters in Pasadena at (626) 797-7817 for a catalog of publications and other resources for independent study.

For information about the local discussion group, call (760) 751-5302 or e-mail

melbrod@cox.net.

Handweavers guild to meet Jan. 14

ESCONDIDO - Palomar Handweavers Guild will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 14 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St.

Deanna Johnson from San Diego Creative Weavers Guild will talk about "Blocks in Weaving: What are they, how are they used and how they can be seen in a design."

After the meeting, Johnson will give a mini-workshop, giving guild members a chance to put their new knowledge on paper. They will get a chance to practice analyzing an existing design to discover the blocks, as well as to create their own original block design. Fee for the workshop is $20.

Guests are welcome. The North County guild includes spinners, knitters, weavers, basketmakers and others interested in fiber arts.

Information: Mimi Loutrel, (760) 533-5837; http://www.palomarweavers.org.

Asperger's group forming

NORTH COUNTY - A new group for young adults with Asperger's syndrome is forming in North County.

This is a social group for young adults ages 18 to 30 who have Asperger's syndrome; however, the group welcomes young adults with similar conditions, and/or their supportive family and friends. Some suggested activities are eating out, hanging out and going out, movies, board games, sightseeing and visiting amusement parks.

A "Getting to Know You" meeting will be held at noon Jan. 12. For information, go to http://aspergers.meetup.com/332/ or call Lisa James at (760) 743-0577.

Singles group seeks members

VISTA - The North County Singles Club for seniors ages 55 and older is seeking new members. The club's main activities involve dancing; however, other events, such as potlucks, offer opportunities for friendship, camaraderie and socialization.

Members meet for dinner and dancing Friday evenings at the Vista Elks Lodge. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and music for dancing begins at 6:30. Cost is $13.

Call Geri at (760) 942-2719 for reservations (required) and membership information.

Girls Inc. to host walk-athon

SAN DIEGO - Girls Incorporated of San Diego County will host its first walk-athon Jan. 19 at Carmel Valley Middle School, 3800 Mykonos Lane. The event will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at noon with a party and community health expo.

"Researchers have found that overweight girls suffer from lowered self-esteem, and this is true for girls as young as 5 years old," said event Chairwoman Holli Clepper. "At Girls Incorporated, we provide the necessary tools for girls to achieve the highest possible quality of life. Being healthy and fit is a crucial component of those life skills."

Members of the business community are needed for teams of walkers, to exhibit at the event or provide sponsorships to show their support for girls in San Diego County.

Participant applications are available online at http://www.girlsincsd.org or by calling (760) 643-4067. Everyone who participates and raises $100 for the cause will receive a goodie bag and event T-shirt.

Horticultural society to meet

DEL MAR - Author, speaker and TV personality Nan Sterman will discuss "Lessons from Chelsea: International Ideas for Sustainable Gardens" at a meeting of the San Diego Horticultural Society set for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at Surfside Race Place, Del Mar Fairgrounds. Sterman also will sign copies of her new book, "California Gardener's Guide: Volume II."

There also will be a plant forum, where plant experts will discuss plants and answer questions, followed by an opportunity drawing. Admission and parking are free. Information: (760) 295-7089, http://www.sdhortsoc.org.

New Horizons Band begins spring season

CARLSBAD - The New Horizons Band will start its spring session with an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at The Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive.

Anyone interested in joining the beginning, intermediate or advanced band is welcome. People who have never played an instrument before will be advised on how to get one, and on the basics of assembling and playing an instrument. Those who have played in the past are encouraged to dust off the old relic hiding in the closet and join the fun of ensemble music-making. Members of all levels will be present for questions, answers and demonstrations.

Information: (858) 793-0223.

Travel meeting planned for seniors

ESCONDIDO - Joslyn Senior Center Travel Services will host its monthly travel meeting at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 in the senior center auditorium, 210 Park Ave. Anita Robinson from Gadabout will speak, and the group will discuss upcoming trips. Seniors ages 50 and older are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. Information: (760) 745-5414.

Nature center seeks volunteers

OCEANSIDE - Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center is seeking volunteers to act as hosts, participate in education programs for children, native plant propagation, bird watching events and field trips. Volunteers receive training. Information: (760) 918-6622.

Rebuild workshop set for Jan. 12

SAN DIEGO - Rebuild Central, a one-stop clearinghouse for fire survivors looking for help to rebuild their homes using energy-efficient, water-conserving and fire-resistant technologies, methods and materials, will hold its second Greenprint Workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 12 at the California Center for Sustainable Energy, 8690 Balboa Ave., Suite 100.

The free workshop will offer information on how to rebuild utilizing numerous rebate and incentive programs currently available. Participants also will receive resource materials, as well as information on how to work successfully with their insurance companies.

Information: http://www.energycenter.org; (866) SDENERGY.

Bridal bazaar scheduled

SAN DIEGO - Bridal Bazaar will host its 33rd annual winter expo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 20 at the San Diego Convention Center, Exhibit Halls G and H.

The event will feature more than 300 of the area's wedding professionals. In one day couples can meet representatives from more than 50 ceremony and reception locations, taste a variety of cake and catering options, browse through dozens of photographers' albums, see the latest trends in flowers and decor, listen to disc jockeys and musicians and more. There will be plenty to interest grooms as well, including San Diego's finest jewelers, honeymoon travel specialists and a variety of limousines. Fashion shows are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 3:45 p.m. There also will be chances to win prizes, including 1-carat diamond earrings from John Franklin Fine Jewelers.

Tickets are $10 at the door or visit http://www.BridalBazaar. com to purchase tickets and print discount coupons. Information: (760) 334-5500.

Famed attorney to speak at event

SAN DIEGO - Nearly 700 men have registered for the 2008 United Jewish Federation Men's Event to take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Keynote speaker for the event will be renowned attorney Alan Dershowitz.

Dershowitz is the author of 20 works of fiction and nonfiction, including six bestsellers. He graduated from Brooklyn College and Yale Law School, and at age 25 had joined the staff at Harvard Law. He was made a full professor of law at age 28, and became, at that time, Harvard's youngest full law professor in the school's history. His clients have included O.J. Simpson, Claus von Bulow, Michael Milken, Leona Helmsley, Jim Bakker, Christian Brando, Mike Tyson, Sen. Alan Cranston, John Landis, John De Lorean, David Crosby, Patricia Hearst, Harry Reems, various death row inmates, Rabbi Meir Kahane and numerous other lawyers, including F. Lee Bailey and William Kunstler.

Admission of $85 includes hors d'oeuvres, dinner, wine and dessert (dietary laws observed). A minimum contribution of $200 to the 2008 UJF Annual Campaign is required to attend the dinner. Sons ages 13 and older are welcome to attend for the cost of the event without the minimum gift requirement.

After the event, Dershowitz will sign copies of his books, which will be available for sale.

Funds raised at the event will ensure that necessities are provided for the most vulnerable members of the community - children, immigrants, the poor, elderly and the disabled - in San Diego, Israel and around the world.

Information and registration: http://www.jewishinsandiego.org/mel; Rachel, (858) 571-3444, Ext. 237.

San Diego Chorus seeks members

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chorus is a women's a cappella chorus singing four-part harmony (barbershop style) and dedicated to local entertainment and international competition.

With a highly trained and talented membership of 100 women, the chorus has a 53-year history in San Diego and has been marked by more awards, medals and prizes than any local sports team. The San Diego Chorus can accommodate your special needs with the full chorus, mini-chorus, double quartet or quartet offering a repertoire of songs complete with costumes, stage makeup and choreography.

The chorus hopes to go for another gold medal in the upcoming Sweet Adelines International competition in Honolulu in November.

The San Diego Chorus always welcomes guests to visit during rehearsals, which takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Casa Del Prado, Room 207 in Balboa Park.