The SPA Datebook

If you provide a public service, or have a special community event that you'd like to post on AM 1510 KSPA, AM 1450 KFSD, and this website, please mail or fax your announcement, marked "ATTN: Gordon Brown"—or e-mail Gordon Brown, Public Service Director, with your announcement attached. Please allow at least 3 weeks before the event date for timely posting. Thanks!  ~ G.B.

Orange County and the Inland Empire

Gilda's Club Desert Cities, a non-profit organization named after comedian Gilda Radner and dedicated to forming support groups for people living with cancer, will hold its 7th Annual Gilda's Gift of Giving Luncheon, Boutique and Fashion Show, Friday, November 21st in the Celebrity Ballroom of the beautiful Westin Mission Hills Resort and Spa. A Preview Cocktail Party, Boutique and Silent Auction will take place on Thursday, November 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Ambassador Ballroom as a precursor to the annual luncheon. Tickets are $60 for the preview night, $125 for the luncheon and fashion show. For reservations, sponsorships or additional information, call 760-770-5678, or visit online.

LifeStream, the new name of the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, encourages you to give thanks, give life, give blood—and celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving by saving lives. From Sunday, November 23rd through Saturday, November 29th, each donor will receive a delicious slice of pie when they donate at any of the donor centers in San Bernardino, Riverside, Ontario, La Quinta, and Hesperia. The San Bernardino Donor Center will be open Thanksgiving Day morning for platelet donations by appointment only. For more information, or to schedule your lifesaving appointment, call 1-800-TRY-GIVING—or visit online.

Idyllwild Arts Academy offers talented young artists between the ages of 13 and 18 the opportunity to win scholarships to its Visual Arts Department through the Me in 2D: A Visual Art Competition and Exhibition. The top three entires in the Me in 2D competition will be awarded scholarships of $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively. The deadline for submission is midnight, January 15, 2009. For additional information, including competition guidelines such as media and size requirements, call 951-659-2171, extension 2339—or visit online.

Business owners: Get the information you need to better manage your business! Keep on top of all the government rules and regulations that affect you. Business.gov is a one-stop shop for free business information from all levels of government—federal, state, and local. Whether starting out or branching out, Business.gov can help make sure you're getting it right. Visit Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. Government. A public service message from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Kids hate veggies...right? Wrong! A new study of California pre- schoolers finds kids actually like fruits and vegetables—and often prefer them to candy. With one in three California children overweight or at risk of becoming overweight, First 5 California offers this tip: Get a free copy of Yummy for Your Tummy, a mini-cookbook with quick and easy, healthful recipes. To order, call 1-800-KIDS-025, or visit online.

The National Credit Union Administration, or NCUA, is the federal agency that insures the vast majority of credit unions in the United States. NCUA insurance for credit unions is equivalent to FDIC coverage for banks, and federally insured credit union members are now protected up to at least $250,000. NCUA insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Not one penny of insured savings has ever been lost by a member of a federally insured credit union. For more information, go online to the NCUA Insurance Coverage Tool Kit to verify that your credit union is insured, and for details about your insurance coverage.

The American Council on Education, the Lumina Foundation for Education, and the Ad Council have launched KnowHow2GO, a national campaign devoted to educating students in grades 8 through 10 about the steps they need to take to prepare for college. KnowHow2GO focuses primarily on students in low-income families, and those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. For more information, call 209-549-2441—or visit online.

California Conservation Corps crews from throughout the state were dispatched to this year's devastating wildfires. The CCC is looking for more young men and women to help out. It's a chance to do something for your state, and perhaps find a career. The Corps also offers a chance to work outdoors; protect the environment; and advance your education. If you're between 18 and 25, call the CCC at 1-800-952-JOBS; or visit online.

Every two seconds, another human being dies of hunger. Even here in America, 33 million Americans have a tenuous food supply, and many are going hungry. But you can help. Give to the Help End Hunger Now Foundation. One hundred percent of your donations provide nutrient- dense foods to hungry people. No administration costs are deducted, and that means every dollar you give puts food in someone's stomach...and lends another chance at life. Call 877-410-GIVE; or visit online.

Forte is a non-profit foreign-exchange program which provides international high-school students the opportunity to study for one year in an American school. Forte is currently looking for people to work in its organization, and also seeks prospective host families in San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire. If your family is interested in hosting a foreign-exchange student, or you'd like to inquire about employment, call 1-202-833-4185; or visit online.

Wildhaven Ranch is a non-profit organization in the San Bernardino Mountains that is dedicated to providing a protective environment where sick, injured, and other disaffected wild animals can be nurtured, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild. For animals who cannot be adequately rehabilitated, Wildhaven provides a sanctuary where they can live safe, fulfilling lives. Learn about these and other aspects of the program, including a Learning Center for community members and children especially, by visiting online.

Is your family overextended with credit spending? Have you been rolling over your auto loans until you owe more than your new vehicle is worth? Are you caught in the squeeze of a non-fixed mortgage? If one or more of these conditions obtains, you may be on the brink of a major debt crisis. That's why the National Foundation for Credit Counseling is non-profit, independently accredited, and community-governed: so they have a real stake in helping you. To find an NFCC agency near you, call 800-388-2227, or go online.

San Diego's North County Senior Dance expands into Orange County, with a "Tea Dance" every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lakeview Senior Center, located at 20 Lake Road in Irvine. Enjoy good dancing and good music provided by the Irvine Senior Band. To find out more about North County Senior Dance, call 760-480-8716.

Officials at the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties have issued an urgent plea to blood donors of all types. The current blood supply continues to be low, with several hospitals on a waiting list and some surgeries delayed. Your community needs your blood donation today. Call 800-879-4484 for the donation location nearest to you.

When you have nowhere to turn, just dial 2-1-1. Connect with Health and Social Services in your area through United Way. Call 2-1-1 for help anytime 24/7. Visit online for more information.

We all feel pressure...but there's a pressure that's good...and that's the pressure in your tires. Check your tire pressure at least once a month. Keeping your tires properly inflated not only reduces the chance of blowouts; it also improves your gas mileage and lengthens tire life, saving you money. Check your tire pressure right away. The longer your tires stay on your car, the longer they stay out of landfills...and that keeps the pressure off all of us. A message from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

The Freeway Service Patrol for the San Bernardino Valley has hit the road—helping stranded motorists for free, every Monday through Friday—during peak commute hours. Watch for the roving team of tow trucks from Montclair to San Bernardino on the I-10 and from Ontario to Rancho Cucamonga on the I-15. This is a free service, including tows to a CHP-approved location. Call 909-884-8276 for more information.

Basically BOOKS is a non-profit bookstore run by the Friends of the Diamond Bar Library. They are open five days a week and need volunteers to staff the store. All proceeds from the store benefit the Diamond Bar Library. The store is located at the Country Hills Towne Centre on Cold Spring Lane. Call 909-594-9954 for details on how you can get involved and help out.

Did you know that a family of four can make up to $50,000 a year and still be eligible for government health insurance for their children? It's true. There are 3 million Californians who are eligible for government health insurance, but have not signed up. The Foundation for Health Coverage Education is ready to help you—call 310-556-9612.

Every day our gas-guzzling cars, buses, and trucks spew tons of pollutants into the air we breathe...and it's making us sick. The American Lung Association is encouraging everyone to help protect the air we all breathe by taking steps to improve air quality and supporting all efforts to reduce air pollution. Visit online for details on how you can help—or call 800-LUNG-USA.

Protect your business with an emergency preparedness plan. Visit ready.gov for free checklists, templates, and other tools to help you develop an affordable plan that fits your business. It's free from the Department of Homeland Security and the Ad Council.

San Diego County

Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet is an exhibit taking place in San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park along the walking paths adjacent to the Natural History Museum, now through November 30th. This vibrant, engaging and educational exhibit is public art with a purpose, featuring 40 larger-than-life sculpted globes, each designed by local, national and international artists to depict a solution to global warming. Admission to the outdoor exhibit is free of charge; admission to the Natural History Museum is $13 for adults, $7 for children aged three through 12. To find out more, visit online.

The brand-new MiraCosta College Jazz Ensemble, directed by faculty member Steve Torok, will present a concert featuring world-famous guitarist Carmen Grillo, formerly of Tower of Power. The concert will take place Friday, November 21st at 7:30 p.m. in Studio A of Building 2200, on the campus at One Barnard Drive in Oceanside. Admission is $10 general, $8 for students and seniors. Order with your MasterCard or Visa by calling 760-795-6815, or by going online.

North County Senior Dance will keep you on your feet literally every day this week, beginning Sunday, November 16th, as The Vidals provide music for dancing at the Mira Mesa Senior Center from 2 to 4:30 p.m. On Monday the 17th, The Music Men do their thing from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Joslyn Center in Rancho Bernardo. On Tuesday the 18th, swing to the stylings of The Harmonaires, at the Escondido Center from 1 to 3. The Billy Harper Band fronts the Thursday dance at the San Marcos Center from 2 to 4...and how about that rare Friday-afternoon dance on the 21st, featuring The Red Pepper Band from 2 to 4 p.m.! And for those who relish the longer nights, we have the two Saturday-evening dances from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Escondido Center, featuring The Weekenders on Saturday the 15th, as well as The Rumble Seat Rascals on the following Saturday, the 22nd. These great events are open to dancers of all ages, and admission is just three to five dollars. Find out more by calling North County Senior Dance at 760-480-8716. (For detailed scheduling information, senior center addresses, etc., click on the calendar icon at left to view schedule in PDF format. You must have Adobe Reader® or similar PDF software installed. Download Adobe Reader® here.)

The San Diego State University Art Gallery is currently exhibiting the emotionally stirring gelatin silver portraiture created by photographer Malick Sidibé, born in 1936 in the West African nation of Mali. Malick Sidibé is the first African photographer to garner the Hasselblad Foundation's International Award in Photography. This exhibit runs now through December 6th, and on Friday, November 21st at 6 p.m., Professor Candace Keller will present a special lecture, with a reception to follow from 7:30 to 9 p.m. For details, call 619-594-5171, or visit online.

The Palomar Chapter of the California Society of Enrolled Agents will hold a seminar examining how to handle real estate foreclosures and short sales on the client's Form 1040 tax return. This timely and informative seminar is not just for EAs but the general public as well. The seminar takes place Wednesday, November 19th from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Escondido Country Club, 1800 Country Club Lane. Registration is $120 in advance, $135 at the door, and lunch and dinner are included. For reservations and other information, call 760-752-8209, or inquire by e-mail.

More than 300,000 individuals in San Diego County live below the federal poverty level. Many of them face hunger every day. This Thanksgiving, help ensure that no one in San Diego goes hungry. Participate in the 7th Annual PureFitness 5K and 10K Run for the Hungry! On Thanksgiving Day morning beginning at 8 a.m., enjoy running or walking a fast and scenic course through the heart of downtown San Diego. Proceeds from Run for the Hungry will benefit the San Diego Food Bank and Foodmobile, a program of Jewish Family Service. A great time and a great course, all for a great cause. To register, or for more information, call 619-298-7400, or visit online.

This Thanksgiving, San Diego Postal Annex Plus locations have teamed up with the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Drive. Each Postal Annex Plus location will collect non-perishable and canned food items from November 15th through the 28th to feed families in need. To locate the Postal Annex Plus food drop-off location nearest you, visit online.

NAMI—the National Alliance on Mental Illness—is a non-profit organization providing education, support services and advocacy to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. Visit NAMI San Diego online—or call 619-543-1434 or 1-800-523-5933.

SanDiegoLovesGreen.com is a new website offering an interesting, hip and fun place to find green businesses; read fresh, compelling articles and local "green" news; shop for eco-friendly and fair-trade products; and get involved with others through the site's many interactive features. The site also publishes a free bi-monthly newsletter that provides the most up-to-date green news, tips, event information, involvement opportunities, and discount offers from local green businesses. Check it out today...SanDiegoLovesGreen.com.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency has launched a campaign to inform the public about a recent rise in three sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Many believe that these diseases have been wiped out through advances in medicine, but in fact, cases of syphilis have increased nearly 200 percent in the last five years. The County urges the public to get tested for all STDs, and to take proper precautions during sexual activity. For further information, visit online.

HirePatriots.com is a free website where you can help our local troops by letting them help you. Do you need help with yard work, home repairs, cleaning, painting, or lifting? Thousands of San Diego's Marines, sailors, soldiers, and their spouses go to HirePatriots.com to find jobs that local citizens and businesses post for them. Let a courteous, hard-working, disciplined military man or woman get the job done for you! Post your jobs free of charge at HirePatriots.com, or call 760-730-3734, and they will gladly post them for you.

Flat tire? Engine trouble? Battery died? Phone 5-1-1 first. By dialing 5-1-1 from your cell phone, you can now access tow services while remaining safely inside your vehicle. Simply dial 5-1-1 from your cell phone, and say "Roadside Assistance" when prompted. Each call is directed to the Call Box Answer Center, which will help you to receive roadside assistance. In non-emergencies in San Diego County, when roadside assistance is needed, phone 5-1-1 first from your cellphone. For more information, visit online.

MiraCosta College offers free recording sessions for local musical groups of any style at the College's Oceanside campus at One Barnard Drive. Musicians are encouraged to take advantage of one three-hour recording session to provide practice opportunities for the College's recording arts students. If interested, please inquire by e-mail with information about your group.

And the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Pet of the Week is River, a two-year-old, spayed-female, German Shepherd Mix! Fully grown at 67 pounds, with a beautiful tawny coat, River is refreshing, free-flowing, and ready for plenty of leisurely activity! So go with the flow, and adopt your newest four-legged friend from the Woodward Center! For more information about River, or any of the delightful dogs and cats available for adoption into loving homes, call the Center at 858-756-4117, or visit online.