Travel club to meet March 3

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The RB Travelers will meet at 2 p.m. March 3 in the auditorium of the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive. The travelogue will be "Natural Wonders of the South East Coast" presented by Jodie Ginter.

USA gymnastics team to perform

RANCHO BERNARDO -- The USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling National Team will present an exhibition from 7 to 9 p.m. March 4 at Bounce California, 10806 Willow Court, Suite C. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $6. All proceeds will go to the senior and junior elite athletes to offset costs for participation in national and international competitions. Information: Sherry Balkan, (760) 931-2717.

San Dieguito River Park offers events

NORTH COUNTY -- The San Dieguito River Park will offer the following free activities and events in March:

• "Quilting Made Simple," 10 a.m. to noon March 4, Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, 12655 Sunset Drive, off of Via Rancho Parkway, in Escondido. Participants can learn how to make a quilt. Call (858) 674-2275, Ext. 14.

• Guided nature hike, 9:30 a.m. to noon March 11, Lake Hodges/Del Dios at Lake Drive, off of Via Ranch Parkway in Escondido. Join a San Dieguito River Park guide on an easy hike along the north shore of Lake Hodges and learn about native plants and how they were used by early American Indians in the area. Call (858) 674-2275, Ext. 5.

• Photography hike, 9 a.m. to noon March 18, Ysabel Creek Trailhead. Explore the techniques of composition with a photography instructor in this outdoor class along the trails of the San Dieguito River Park. Participants should bring their own cameras and water and wear sturdy shoes. For directions and information, visit http://www.sdrp.org or call (858) 674-2275, Ext. 5.

• "Art In the Park" nature art contest, March 25. Break out your easels for a day of painting and prizes at the San Dieguito River Park. The top three entries (painting only) will receive prizes and will become the property of the San Dieguito River Park for display. Bring your own paints and materials. Call (858) 674-2275, Ext. 14.

Interstitial cystitis group to meet

SAN DIEGO -- The Interstitial Cystitis Support Group will meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 5 in the Coral Room at Thornton Hospital, 9300 Campus Point Drive. Call (858) 279-2178.

Women in Networking to meet

LAKE SAN MARCOS -- North County Women in Networking will hold its monthly buffet luncheon meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 8 in the Terrace Room at the Lake San Marcos Resort and Country Club, 1750 San Pablo Drive. Dr. Denise Maxwell of Maxwell Chiropractic will speak on "Staying Healthy For Life."

Cost is $16 for members; $18 for guests. Attendees are encouraged to donate items for a door-prize drawing. Call Georgia at (760) 944-7584.

Parkinson's support group to meet

VISTA -- The North County Parkinson's Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Wednesday of each month at the Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. At the March 8 meeting there will be a share-and-care session, and Wayne Brown of SchwarzPharma will give an update on existing and new drugs for Parkinson's disease. Call (760) 940-2763.

Administrative pros to meet

SAN MARCOS -- The Palomar chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet at 5:30 p.m. March 7 at Bakers Square restaurant, 1650 Descanso Ave.

In addition to networking and dinner, a guest speaker will share "The Tools You Need Now, the Technology You Will Need Tomorrow."

Guests are welcome. Cost for dinner is $23. Reserve with Dina Bussey by e-mail at bussey@rsf-fire.org.

Divorce workshop for parents offered

SAN MARCOS -- Building Bridges Together will present a workshop for divorced or separated parents from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 8 at MAAC Headstart, 800 Los Vallecitos Blvd.

Taught by Dr. Shari Delisle, director of Kids' Turn, a divorce education program for children and parents, the free workshop will offer information on how to minimize the negative effects of divorce on children.

R.S.V.P. to (619) 477-0242.

Make adobe bricks at Archaeological Center

ESCONDIDO -- The San Diego Archaeological Center will host an "Adobe Dreams" Archaeology Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 11 at the center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road.

Participants can learn hands-on about the process of making adobe brick, one the earliest building materials in the Southwest. Pat Friend, a member of the Tigua tribe, will offer information about the material and its role in the early California Mission Period. Families are encouraged to attend. Participants should dress appropriately for the activity.

Suggested donation is $10; free for Archaeological Center members. Additional brick kits can be purchased for $8 at the center.

Information: (760) 291-0370 or acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org.

Bird watching excursion planned

OCEANSIDE -- The Palomar Audubon Society will offer a bird watching field trip to Guajome Regional Park in Oceanside from 8:30 a.m. to noon March 11. Participants will have the opportunity to see an array of resident birds and a notable migrant bird or two. The trip requires moderate walking. Information: (858) 442-4726 or http://www.palomaraudubon.org.

Ugly Dog Contest set for March 12

DEL MAR -- The Del Mar Kiwanis will present its 11th annual Ugly Dog Contest from 11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 12 in the paddock area at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest dog, cutest dog, best trick, dog who looks most like its owner, best costume and many others. Checkers the Clown will offer face painting, magic and free balloons. A mini carnival also has been added to this year's event.

All proceeds will benefit the Rancho Coastal Humane Society's Safehouse Program, which provides shelter for pets of domestic violence, and the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding Program, which offers the fun and benefits of horseback riding to people with disabilities.

Registration and check-in for contest participants will be from 10 to 11 a.m. The entry fee is $6 per dog for each contest category. Admission prices for the show are $7; $12 for ages 12 and younger.

Register online at http://www.uglydogcontest.org or http://www.uglydogcontest.com.

Give a 'Gift of Hope' to a cancer patient

SAN DIEGO -- Honor a cancer survivor or remember someone who has lost the fight against cancer with a minimum $25 "Gift of Hope" donation during the American Cancer Society's 23rd annual Daffodil Days campaign.

"Gift of Hope" bouquets will be delivered anonymously by trained volunteers to juvenile and adult cancer patients undergoing treatment in local medical facilities in late March. More than 2,000 daffodil bouquets were delivered to cancer patients throughout the county in 2005.

To place a tax-deductible "Gift of Hope" order by credit card, call (619) 682-7412 before March 15.

Mediation skills training offered

NORTH COUNTY -- North County Lifeline will offer a 40-hour basic skills mediation training program from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, May 5 through June 2. Participants can learn a six-stage mediation process and the accompanying communication and facilitation skills. Information: Anita Stirling, (760) 726-4900, Ext.160; astirling@nclifeline.org.

Magic newsletter, Web site available

SAN MARCOS -- Magician Michael E. Johnson of San Marcos has launched a newsletter titled San Diego Magic News and a Web site, http://www.sandiegomagicnews.com, to publicize magic activities happening throughout the county. The free Web site is updated every week, while the newsletter is published monthly. Newsletter subscriptions cost $20 per year, with single issues priced at $2 each.

For a free sample copy of the newsletter, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Michael E. Johnson, 197 Woodland Parkway, Suite 104 PMB 492, San Marcos, CA 92069-3020. For information, call (760) 747-4627.

Health challenges support group meets

NORTH COUNTY -- A support group for people suffering from chronic or degenerative health challenges, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or arthritis, meets every other week in North County. For information, call (760) 579-3159.