NARFE to meet

OCEANSIDE -- The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Oceanside Chapter 706, will meet from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Oceanside Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane. President Tom Buggie will discuss his trip to the National Convention in Louisville, Ky. During the convention, the delegates from Region VIII chose Helen Zajac of California to represent them on the 14-member NARFE National Executive Board. Call (760) 757-5559.

Halloween Hi-Jinks slated for kids

VISTA -- The Friends of Heritage Park Village will hold its annual Halloween Hi-Jinks from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at Heritage Park, 220 Peyri Road, behind Mission San Luis Rey. The event will include entertainment by Michael the Wizard, costume fashion show, free popcorn and apple cider, police K9 demonstration, face painting and games. Children's books will be sold by the Oceanside Public Library and the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside will operate a Pumpkin Patch, with proceeds going to Rady Children's Hospital. Call (760) 433-8297.

Gem and Mineral Society to meet

VISTA -- The Vista Gem and Mineral Society will meet at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Members will hold 'shoe box' demonstrations on their phases of lapidary.

The society will hold its biannual Gem Show from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. Call (760) 724-0395.

Senior center holds dance

VISTA -- A dance will be held from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Music will be by George Mozes, Palomar smooth jazz instructor. Cost: $2. Call (760) 639-6160.

Travel group to see musical

VISTA -- The McClellan Senior Center's travel group, Culture Caravan, will visit Upland to see "Menopause the Musical" Oct. 15. The motor coach leaves at 10:45 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Lunch is included at the Souplantation before the show. Cost: $88. Call (760) 643-2828.

Oktoberfest benefits kids

VISTA -- The Eckert Family will sponsor an Oktoberfest to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Vista from 4:30-9 p.m. Oct. 18 at the club, 410 W. California Ave. There will be bratwurst, cabbage, pretzels, strudel, beverages, German music and dancers. Tickets are $50 per person, $95 per couple. Children ages 7-18 are $25; ages 6 and under, free. Information: (760) 724-6606; cindy@bgcvista.com.

League to register voters Oct. 11

CARLSBAD -- The League of Women Voters North Coast will register voters from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 11 at Westfield Mall, 2525 El Camino Real. A voter may also change registration if a name or address has changed, or if the voter wants to become a permanent absentee voter. A driver's license or ID card is required. A voter notification card will be mailed by the Registrar's office to confirm registration. The deadline to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 20. Call (760) 736-1608.

Report illegal disposal of cigarettes

CARLSBAD -- During what is historically the hottest time of the year in San Diego County and when fire risk is at its peak, the Carlsbad Police Department would like to remind citizens to properly dispose of cigarettes, and asks them to report when they see people throwing cigarettes from their vehicles. Not only is that a violation of the California Vehicle Code, it is also a significant fire hazard. Citizens caught throwing lighted or unlighted cigarettes from vehicles will be cited and fined. The fine for a first-time offense is $100 with a mandatory court appearance; the second offense is $500. Citizens are asked to call the 24-hour Cigarette Butt Hotline sponsored by the San Diego County Surfrider Foundation at (877) 211-BUTT (2888). When calling, be prepared to report:

- Vehicle license number, make, model and color; date, time and location of incident

- Who threw the cigarette (driver or passenger), male or female

Call in to 911 any other suspicious activity related to possible fires.

Encinitas to host preschool prep

CARDIFF -- The city of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department will offer its Little Learners class from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Oct. 14 at the Scout House in Glen Park, 2149 Orinda Drive. The course is for children ages 34 months to 46 months who are potty-trained and able to participate independent of their parents. It provides opportunities to meet other children, explore a new environment, and provides an introduction to reading readiness and other preschool prep activities. Children will work on pre-reading and pre-writing skills, and supervised open play, snack and art will be included. Parents are welcome to stay anytime and will be required to help with at least one class during the session. Call (760) 633-2759.

Irrigation District to hold drought response hearing

RANCHO SANTA FE --- The Santa Fe Irrigation District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to receive and consider public comment on the proposed Santa Fe Irrigation District Drought Response Policies and Procedures during a regular meeting at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 16 at the district offices, 5920 Linea del Cielo. The policies and procedures, being adopted by area water agencies, are intended as a tool to achieve reductions during shortages, and to provide regional consistency in the event of necessary reductions. The Santa Fe Irrigation District Drought Response Policies and Procedures have four levels of drought response, determined by specific existing conditions, from a voluntary 10 percent reduction of water usage up to a mandatory 40 percent or more reduction. The district's intention is to inform customers in advance of official notice of the Drought Condition Levels, so they can prepare for reductions and consider water use changes that could be implemented now.

Submit written comments to General Manager Michael J. Bardin at P.O. Box 409, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067-0409. After the close of the public hearing, the board of directors may consider adoption, revision or modification of the Drought Response Policies and Procedures.

Information: (858) 756-5672; www.sfidwater.org.