Coastal North County Community News: Solana Beach hosts tree …

North County Times – Escondido,CA,USA
… us. ENCINITAS —- Encinitas Moonlighter’s
Toastmasters Club meets at noon Thursdays at Encinitas City Hall,
505 S. Vulcan Ave. …

SOLANA BEACH —- Solana Beach Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at the northwest corner of Lomas Santa Fe and Cedros Avenue (by the train station). Festivities start at 6:30 and will go on until the last child (3rd grade and under) has shared their special wishes with Santa.

Refreshments, cookies, music and cupcakes will be provided for all.

Santa will arrive at 7:15 p.m. Bring an unwrapped children’s gift to be distributed by St. Leo’s Church. Visit the Web site at http://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us.

Toastmasters switch dates

ENCINITAS —- Encinitas Moonlighter’s Toastmasters Club meets at noon Thursdays at Encinitas City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. Learn to speak in public with no fear in a supportive and positive learning environment.

Call Blair Knoll at (760) 633-2793 or visit the Web site at http://www.moonlighters.us.

Center hosts seniors dance

ENCINITAS —- The Encinitas Senior Center will host the social dance for senior citizens age 50 and over from 2 to 4 p.m. the third Friday of each month at the center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Dance to the music of the Oceanside Society Orchestra. Cost is $3, includes beverages and appetizers. Call (760) 943-2250.

Walkers meet for coast walk

ENCINITAS —- Encinitas Walkers meet for a one-hour conditioning walk along the coastal route at 7:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in front of the fountain at the Lumberyard Shopping Center on Highway 101.Call Geri Beckord at (760) 633-1884 or visit the Web site at http://www.encinitaswalkers.org.

Women for sobriety meet

ENCINITAS —- The support and advocacy group meets at 10 a.m. Saturdays at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center,1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Call Deborah at (858) 220-9300 or visit the Web site at http://www.womenforsobriety.org.

Discover your pet’s ‘energy’

CARLSBAD —- Animal communicator Paula Brown will read your pet’s Chakras and energy patterns during the fundraiser for The Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s Animal Safehouse Program, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at Dexter’s Deli, 2508 El Camino Real, B-2. Also from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at Dexter’s Deli, 1229 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar.

Cost is $15. Call (760) 720-7507.

Dog rescue hosts adoptions Dec. 9

ENCINITAS —- The Foundation for the Care of Indigent Animals, a nonprofit pet rescue organization specializing in small dogs, will hold the dog adoption event from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Petsmart, 1034 N.

El Camino Real. Call (619) 466-0426.

Historical society hosts open house

RANCHO SANTA FE —- The Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society will host a Christmas Open House to honor its 2006 sponsors from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at La Flecha House, 6036 La Flecha. Call (858) 756- 9291.

Communication key to holidays

ENCINITAS —- Wendy Hill will offer the communication workshop, “Deck the Halls and Not Each Other! Communication Tips for Having Yourself a Really Merry Season” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 16 at her office, 4407 Manchester Ave., Suite 103. Cost is $49. Call (760) 635-3722 or e-mail wendy.hill@sbcglobal.net.

City to offer Seaside Day Camp

CARDIFF —- The City of Encinitas Parks and Recreation Department will operate its Seaside Day Camp program including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 26 to Dec. 29; and “Winterfest, 2007″ camp from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 2 to Jan. 5 in the Scout House, Glen Park.

Camp activities are offered for youth ages six to twelve years and will include: arts and crafts, games, special events, sports and tournaments. Fee includes all camp activities including a weekly field trip to local attractions. A trip to the San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade and Barbecue Picnic Lunch is planned the first week and a trip to Disneyland is slated for the second week.

All activities and field trips are fully supervised with experienced and CPR/First Aid-trained day camp counselors. Space is limited and pre-registration recommended. Call (760) 633-2740, visit the office at 505 S. Vulcan Ave., or visit the Web site at http://www.EncinitasRecReg.com.

Learn to identify birds

CARLSBAD —- Visit Buena Vista Lagoon for a look at local birds with Buena Vista Audubon Society host Tom Troy at 8:30 a.m. the last Saturday of each month at Buena Vista Lagoon Landing. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound with added instruction in the use of binoculars and scopes. Call Tom Troy at (760) 967-6915.

Volunteers needed for Flower Fields

CARLSBAD —- The Flower Fields is currently seeking composting volunteers for its spring 2006 season. Duties will include teaching recycling and vermicomposting to children from preschool through sixth grade. Volunteers are needed between the hours of 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the fields, 5600 Avenida Encinas.

Volunteers must enjoy working with children and being outdoors. Experience not required. Training will be provided in March at The Flower Fields. Volunteers are also needed to conduct walking children’s tours and/or adult tours. Sitting positions include conducting visitor surveys, hand stamping at exits and distributing general information to visitors.

Training will be provided in January and February for tours being given from March 3 through April 30, 2007. Tours are normally scheduled between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Joni Miringoff at (760) 930-912, Ext. 118.

Celebrate Hanukkah with congregation

CARLSBAD —- The Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego (County) is inviting one and all to celebrate the Festival of Hanukkah following its regular Shabbat service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad, 3320 Monroe Ave. Cantor Debbie Davis will conduct the service and the event will include music by the “Chicken Soup Ensemble.” Also games, potluck lunch (bring enough for eight people: A-F, salads; G-M, desserts; N-Z, main dishes).

Call (858) 549-3088 or visit the Web site at http://www.hjcsd.org.

Support group hosts holiday party

CARLSBAD —- The National Alliance on Mental Illness – North Coastal San Diego County will host the holiday dinner party for anyone with a mental illness featuring music by pianist Carolyn Tomacelli from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21 at St. Michael’s By The Sea Episcopal Church, the Parish Hall, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd. Call (760) 722-3754.

Citizens asked to report graffiti

CARLSBAD —- Carlsbad city officials are asking residents and park visitors to report graffiti and other vandalism through the Carlsbad Graffiti Hotline at (760) 434-6700 or visit the Web site at http://www.carlsbadca.gov.

City seeks feedback

CARLSBAD —- The Carlsbad Recreation Department is seeking feedback from the public regarding:

- Recreational needs and priorities of the community;

- Types of programming and/or activities the community would like to see;

- How the department can better serve and communicate with the public;

- How recreation can keep up with changing times, demographics and trends.

An online survey will be available at www.CarlsbadConnect.org beginning Dec. 4 through Jan. 2, 2007.

The Recreation Department is also inviting the community to participate in open community forums held throughout the month of February. Forums will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Stagecoach Community Center, 3420 Camino de los Coches; 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at Pacific Rim Elementary, 1100 Camino de las Ondas; 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Calavera Hills Community Center, 2997 Glasgow Drive; and 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Reservations for the forums are requested. Call Craddock Stropes at (760) 602-7524, e-mail cstro@ci.carlsbad.ca.us or visit the Web site at http://www.CarlsbadConnect.org.

Group meets for educational lunch

SAN DIEGO —- Join the members of the San Dieguito Chapter of Brandeis University Women’s Committee for its annual University on Wheels luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 3 at the Prado Restaurant in Balboa Park.

The guest speaker will be Professor Ann Koloski-Ostrow, chair of Classical Studies at Brandeis. Call Ida Shreiber at (760) 471-8992.

Recycle unwanted computers, TVs

OCEANSIDE —- Recycle San Diego and Valerie Macleay of HomeLife Village Realtors will recycle all unwanted computers, computer monitors, towers, laptops, televisions, big screens and television consoles at no charge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at 3361 Golfers Drive. For more information, contact Julie Austin at (760) 390-1475.

RBV Adobe hosts holiday event

VISTA —- The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe will hold “La Hacienda Holiday … Starting a Family Tradition,” a holiday afternoon of folklorico dancing, guitarists, choirs, mariachis, food, children’s crafts, demonstrations and Spanish/English storytelling in the festively decorated, early 19th-century adobe. The event will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the adobe at 651 E. Vista Way. A $5 suggested donation is welcome and tickets may be purchased at the door. Call Shari at (760) 639-6164.

Church holds Joyland Toy Shoppe

VISTA —- Buena Vista Baptist Church will hold a “Joyland Toy Shoppe” for families who could use a little extra Christmas cheer this year. Church members and friends of the Vista community have made toy donations to make this event possible for the weekend of Dec. 16 and 17.

The church’s musical children’s group, King Kid’s Production Company, will present the musical “Joyland” at 145 Hannalei Drive at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10. The KKPC has decided to put the message of their musical —- “A Children’s Musical Teaching the Blessing of Giving” —- into action. King’s Kids Production Company has been presenting faith and values musicals for 18 years with Director Laura Craig and many volunteers from the church and community. They performed the National Premiere for “Joyland” earlier this year. For more information about the “Joyland” musical tickets or toy shoppe, contact (760) 726-1564.

Free child care for single parents Dec. 16

VISTA —- Tri-City Church will give single parents free child care from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16. Single parents can drop off their kids at 302 N. Emerald Drive and enjoy four hours to catch up on shopping, sleeping or whatever. The kids will have a full schedule of crafts, story time, play time, a bounce house and lunch.

Single parents must pre-register their children on or before Dec. 13. Registration forms are available on line at http://www.tri-citychurch.com or by calling the church office at (760) 724-3000. Attendance is limited.

The city of Vista is providing craft materials and Wendy’s will provide the lunches. There also will be Spanish-speaking helpers in attendance.

Woman’s Club of Vista meets

VISTA —- The Woman’s Club of Vista will meet at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Vista Valley Country Club, 29354 Vista Valley Drive, for social time, business meeting, lunch and program. Ruth Schneider will provide Christmas music with handbells and a bake sale of home-made holiday goodies will be held. Call (760) 726-3763.

Church plans ‘Live Nativity’

OCEANSIDE —- Del Oro Hills Community Church will hold a Christmas “Live Nativity” from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at Martin Luther King Park, 4500 Mesa Drive. There will be free hot cider and treats. Actors and animals will display the Christmas story. Call (760) 941-3200.

Annual boat parade sets sail Dec. 9

OCEANSIDE —- The annual Boat Parade of Lights is coming to the Oceanside Harbor on Dec. 9. This is a joint effort between the Oceanside Yacht Club, the Director of Harbor and Beaches and the Oceanside Harbor Police. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and lasts about an hour. It is expected that 25 to 30 boats ranging from kayaks to large yachts will participate. The Harbor Police lead the parade, which can be viewed from almost anywhere within the harbor. There is no entrance fee to participate and entry forms are available at the yacht club office. In addition to the parade, the yacht club will serve dinner starting at 5 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal cost. After the parade there will be an awards ceremony and the yacht club has arranged for some great prizes. For more information, contact the yacht club at (760) 722-5751.

Children’s acting workshop offered

OCEANSIDE —- The Valletta Workshop will present an acting workshop from 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 9 at the AB Fine Arts Studio, 4093 Oceanside Blvd., Suite G. The workshop is for children ages 9 to 12 and will highlight commercial, film and television acting. Cost is $50. Call (760) 643-9400.

Donation drive in downtown O’side

OCEANSIDE —- MainStreet Oceanside invites the community to participate in this year’s Combined Donation Drive in downtown Oceanside from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Regal Entertainment Plaza at Mission Avenue and Tremont Street in downtown. Parking is available within one block of the theatre. This year, funds are being raised for three charities, including the city’s Firefighter’s Association, North County Food Bank and Brother Benno’s. The Firefighters Association will be taking donations of new, unwrapped toys for Christmas delivery to Oceanside children. Partnering with nonprofit organizations, the North County Food Bank will accept donations of unopened canned and boxed food that will go to low-income and disadvantaged citizens of North County. Brother Benno’s is looking for new or gently used cold-weather clothing, socks, blankets and sleeping bags to serve less-fortunate residents of Oceanside.

Numerous city departments will be on hand to provide information and handouts on holiday events, safety and more. The YMCA will provide families with a hands-on arts and crafts area as well as demonstrations for all to participate in.

Santa Claus will be on hand for photo opportunities and there will be holiday music, carolers, a free drink and sweets for all. For more information, call (760) 967-2005 or visit http://www.msoceanside.com.

Donate your old vehicle

OCEANSIDE —- “Operation Vehicle Donation, A Day to Donate Your Vehicle for Good CARma!,” will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Saturn Dealer of Oceanside at Highway 78 and Jefferson Ave. Donors can bring their unwanted car, boat, truck or RV and the Center for Car Donations will process the paperwork for the donation that day. Saturn will be the first to donate a vehicle, which will then be loaded throughout the day with donated cans of food to be distributed to low-income seniors through The Angel’s Depot. Vehicles can be donated on the spot or appointments can be made to pick up the vehicle from the donor’s home or office. Cars do not have to be running, pass a smog test or have current registration.

Activities will include a live band, food, prizes, activities for the kids, and a food drive for seniors. There will be a free ride home for all vehicle donors. Donated vehicles will help support the following charities: Angel’s Depot, Cancer Coping Center, Hospice of the North Coast, San Diego Audubon Society, St. Clare’s Home and Voices for Children. Also receiving support will be Operation Homefront San Diego; Second Brigade, Volunteer Unit; Special Forces Unit, Chapter 75; and the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

For more information, call (877) 411-3663.

Holiday Home Tour upcoming

OCEANSIDE —- Tickets are on sale for the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library Holiday Home Tour to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 and featuring some of Oceanside’s finest examples of beachfront living. Four beautiful homes, from the historic to contemporary, will be on display, including a beachfront get-a-way originally owned by legendary film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.

Tickets are available at the Civic Center or Mission Branch Library or from any Friends of the Library board member. Advance tickets cost $20 or $30 at the door. Call (760) 435-5560.

OMA holds travel party

OCEANSIDE —- Oceanside Museum of Art invites anyone interested in the museum’s travel program or anyone who has traveled with the museum in the past to attend a Holiday Travel Party at the museum from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at 704 Pier View Way. Enjoy light refreshments while renewing friendships. Learn about future trips planned for 2007 and share ideas for future destinations. The OMA Holiday Party is free and the public is welcome, however, R.S.V.P. to (760) 721-2787.

Help needy seniors at Christmas

Want to help provide a holiday gift this Christmas season to brighten the lives of seniors who are financially needy or who have no family in the area? Home Instead Senior Care has once again teamed up with Wal-Mart to provide a program called “Be a Santa to a Senior.” Oceanside’s program is being co-sponsored by the Oceanside Senior Center. On Nov. 20 a Christmas tree was placed up front at each of these five Wal-Mart stores and will be up until Dec. 18:

- Wal-Mart at 2100 Vista Way, Oceanside (past Jefferson)

- Wal-Mart at 705 College Blvd., Oceanside (at the 76)

- Wal-Mart at 3405 Marron Road, Oceanside

- Wal-Mart at 732 Center Drive, San Marcos (near Nordahl)

- Wal-Mart at 1800 University Drive, Vista

Each tree will have an ornament on it with a senior’s first name and a “wish list” of items they need, such as slippers, socks, gloves, hand lotion, toiletry items, pens, stationary, a box of candy or a pre-paid phone card. Shoppers can select an ornament, purchase the item or items on the list and take the gift with the ornament to the store’s drop-off location. The gifts will later be collected and wrapped at a gift-wrapping party by volunteers on Dec. 19 at the San Marcos Senior Center. The gifts will then be distributed to each senior after Dec. 19. The names of the those seniors living in Oceanside, along with their wish lists, will be provided anonymously by the Oceanside Senior Center, for delivery of the gifts to ensure that everything is handled confidentially. The program runs through Dec. 18. Home Instead Senior Care provides non-medical home care and companionship for the elderly. Volunteers are also needed to help wrap the gifts at a gift-wrapping party on Dec. 19 at the San Marcos Senor Center. Call Lee at (760) 639-6472 to sign up for the wrapping party.

Dems meet for holiday party

CARLSBAD —- The Democratic Club of Carlsbad-Oceanside will hold its annual holiday party from 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Carlsbad Woman’s Club, 3320 Monroe St. All interested guests are welcome to attend at no charge. Festivities will include food, beverages and live music. The featured speaker will be Dr. Chalmers Johnson, who will talk about his latest book, “Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic,” to be published in February. Johnson’s talk is scheduled for 2 p.m. Contact Bill Staggs at (760) 599-4851.

‘Carols by Candlelight’ performances set

ESCONDIDO —- Barona’s annual “Carols by Candlelight,” benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego, will take place at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Performers will include Jo Dee Messina, Jamie O’Neal, Ty Herndon, Hal Ketchum and Buck Howdy.

This family event will include celebrity performers singing holiday songs, as well as their own hits on stage, and leading the audience in outdoor caroling by candlelight after the peformance.

For information and tickets, go to http://www.starsconcert.com.

Bring a toy to SD Auto Swap

SAN DIEGO —- The San Diego Auto and Cycle Show and Swap will present its 16th annual “Toys for Tots” show and swap from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road. Anyone bringing in a new unwrapped toy will be treated to a free continental breakfast.

Admission is $5 and free for active-duty military and children ages 12 and younger. Vendor spaces cost $30; to show or sell a car costs $15 and $10 for cycles. Information: (858) 484-9342, http://www.SanDiegoAutoSwap.com.

Seniors can get free Lifeline installation

NORTH COUNTY —- To help seniors living in the Palomar Pomerado Health district have peace of mind this holiday season, PPH is offering free Lifeline installation to new subscribers, now through Jan. 31.

Lifeline is an easy to use personal response service that ensures older adults living at home will receive quick assistance whenever it is needed. By pushing a lightweight waterproof button that can be worn around the neck or wrist, a subscriber has immediate access to a highly trained monitor who will assess the caller’s situation and efficiently link each subscriber to the care they need.