History of Oceanside Pier is topic

OCEANSIDE -- A special free program about the history of the Oceanside Pier will be hosted by the Oceanside Historical Society and Public Library at 10 a.m. Sept. 6 in the Community Rooms at 330 N. Coast Highway.

The event will include photos of the pier, solicited from the community. Attendees can bring their own pier and beach photos, which will be scanned to build a comprehensive collection of the pier's past and present. A video will be shown of the 1956 Miss Southern Californian Beauty Contest held in the Pier amphitheater. The second-place winner was Raquel Tejada, who became famous as actress Raquel Welch.

Information: (760) 722-4786, (760) 435-5600; www.oceansidehistoricalsociety.org.

Grape Expectations Winefest upcoming

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Vista and Shadowridge Vista Rotary clubs will hold the fourth annual Grape Expectations Winefest from 5:30-10 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Camp Pendleton NCO Club. There will be a live and silent auction. Tickets are $75. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Foundation and the Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA, as well as several other community service organizations. Deluxe bus transportation will be available at the Sam's Club/North Island Credit Union parking lot in Vista for $10. Information: (760) 505-8601, (760) 807-9807; www.shadowridgeRotary.com/winefest.

Sunset Poets oppose Prop. 8

OCEANSIDE -- Sunset Poets will hold a special event on Sept. 7 supporting and celebrating equality for all, including the freedom to marry, and opposing Proposition 8 on the November ballot. The event will be held at the Flying Bridge Restaurant, 1105 N. Coast Highway. Social hour will be at 2 p.m. with live music and appetizers for $10. A free poetry reading at 3 p.m. will feature Los Angeles poet and educator Eloise Klein Healy, followed by an open mike. Information: (760) 758-2410; sunsetpoets@sbcglobal.net.

North Coast Vettes hold golf tourney

CAMP PENDLETON -- North Coast Vettes will hold its second annual golf tournament Sept. 19 at the Marine Memorial Golf Course, Camp Pendleton. Registration starts at 11 a.m. and shotgun start is noon. Cost is $75 per player and includes greens fee, cart, lunch, gift and raffle prize ticket. Cash prizes awarded to top 10 teams. Proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside, Military Outreach Ministry at Camp Pendleton and the Armed Services YMCA on Camp Pendleton. Information: (760) 438-2009; don-kay@sbcglobal.net; www.northcoastvettes.org.

Braille Institute offers vision programs

VISTA -- The Braille Institute will offer two free programs designed to teach people how to remain independent despite loss of vision. Classes will be held from 10-11 a.m. Mondays starting Sept. 8 at Rancho Vista, 760 Bobier Drive; and 2-3 p.m.at Arcadia Place, 1080 Arcadia Ave.

Participants will learn new ways of doing daily tasks such as managing the home and using visual aids such as lighted magnifiers to maximize remaining vision. Classes also will cover how to identify surroundings and travel safely, adaptive techniques for enjoying recreational activities as well as how to receive talking books and other free services through Braille Institute's Library. Classes end Oct. 13. Call (858) 452-1111, Ext. 5033.

Registration set for youth sports

VISTA -- The city of Vista's Parks and Community Services Department is holding registration for flag football, youth basketball and girls volleyball.

Flag football is open to boys and girls in grades 1-8. Registration will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 6 at Brengle Terrace Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. Fee: $67 for residents; $80 nonresidents. The noncompetitive program consists of both instruction and games with four leagues: Tiny League, grades 1-2; Longhorn League, grades 3-4; Panther League, grades 5-6; and Charger League, grades 7-8. Player evaluations begin Sept. 8 and practice will be held Sept. 15-Nov. 22.

The North County Volleyball League is for girls in grades 5-8. The noncompetitive program consists of both instruction and games for beginner to advanced skill levels. Practices and games will be held Monday through Thursday. First practice will be Sept. 2 at Brengle Terrace Gym. Fee: $70 residents; $84 nonresidents. Volunteer coaches are needed.

The Youth Basketball Program is for boys and girls in grades 1-12. Registration is from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 15 for Vista residents; 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 for all community members; and a late registration date from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23. This noncompetitive program provides youths the opportunity to strengthen their skills, demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior and develop a broad base of knowledge in basketball. Fees: $65-$70 residents; $78-$84 nonresidents.

Information: (760) 726-1340, Ext. 1576; randerson@cityofvista.com; www.vistarecreation.com.

Community band to meet at museum

CARLSBAD -- The New Horizons Band will kick off its fall session with an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Drive. Any adult interested in joining beginning, intermediate, or advanced band is invited to attend. Those who have never played an instrument will be advised on how to get one, and on the basics of assembling and playing one. Members of all levels will be present for questions, answers, and demonstrations. Call (858) 793-0223.

Senior center to host computer classes

CARLSBAD -- The city of Carlsbad Recreation Department will host three four-week

computer courses for adults ages 55 and older, led by Harriet Marois, during the month of September at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. Scheduled classes include:

- "Computer Literacy" from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 3. The course is designed to demystify essential computer concepts and provide basic training in various software applications and the Internet.

- The "Computer Workshop" will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Thursdays, starting Sept. 4. The hands-on class covers issues and topics that inevitably hit anyone who uses a computer, but are not covered in the usual books and classes.

- "Internet Literacy" will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Mondays, beginning Sept. 8. The class focuses on how to use the Internet effectively without compromising security and privacy.

Cost for Carlsbad residents is $54; cost for nonresidents is $64. Call (760) 602-4650 to register, apply in person at the Carlsbad Senior Center, or register online at www.carlsbadconnect.org.

Greek Festival on tap

CARDIFF -- Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will hold a Greek Festival from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 6 and 7 on the grounds of the church, 3459 Manchester Ave. There will be live music, food, dancing and crafts. Admission is $2 adults; children under 12 free. Call (760) 942-0920.

Encinitas walkers get the lead out

ENCINITAS -- Join Encinitas Walkers for the one-hour conditioning walk along the coastal route past Moonlight Beach and returning through downtown Encinitas at 7:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The group meets at the fountain in the Lumberyard Shopping Center, 897 S. Coast Highway 101, and usually finishes at the St. Tropez Cafe. All levels welcome. Call (760) 633-1884, www.encinitaswalkers.org.

YMCA to tour Salk Institute

ENCINITAS -- The Ecke YMCA is sponsoring an architectural tour of the Salk Institute in La Jolla at 11 a.m. Sept. 10, leaving from the YMCA, 200 Saxony Road. Includes lunch. Group limited to 15; open to ages 10 and up. Deadline for registration is Sept. 2. Cost: $59. Call (760) 635-3050.

Center to offer 'Gentle Pilates'

ENCINITAS -- The Encinitas Senior Center will offer the "Gentle Pilates" class from 9-10 a.m. Mondays at the center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Seniors can add grace to aging by learning to move from the core, strengthen, lengthen and pick up new cues for better posture. Bring a mat and pillow to class. The class is for ages 50 and up and is ongoingr. Cost is $5 per class, paid at the beginning of the month for the entire month. Call (760) 943-2250.

Needlers meet at credit union

ENCINITAS -- Torrey Pine Needlers, the local chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc., will hold its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month, in the community room of the San Diego Credit Union, 501 El Camino Real. Call (760) 598-7885.

AARP chapter to meet at center

ENCINITAS -- AARP Chapter 239, Encinitas, meets the first Monday of the month at the Encinitas Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Drive.

Botanical garden to host 'Succulent Wreath' class

ENCINITAS --- Quail Botanical Gardens will host a "Succulent Wreath" workshop from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 2 at the gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Students are advised to bring clippers, water and a snack, and dress in layers due to the class being held outside. Fee includes instructions, materials, and wreath form. Cost is $55 for members, $65 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required. Call (760) 436-3036, Ext. 206.

Library to host 'Rocket Science'

CARDIFF -- The Cardiff Library and Friends of the Library will host "Rock Out With Rocket Science" from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 3 in the library's community room, 2081 Newcastle Ave. Call (760) 635-1000.