The SPA Datebook

If you provide a public service, or have a special community- or business-related event that you'd like to post on AM 1000 KCEO and/or AM 1450 KFSD and their associated websites, please e-mail Gordon Brown, Public Service Director, with your announcement attached. Please allow at least three weeks before the event date for timely posting. Thanks!  ~ G.B.

Upcoming Events in San Diego

The Birch North Park Theatre's Jazz in North Park series continues Wednesday, October 6th at 7 p.m. with a performance by The Cannonball-Coltrane Project, a band that pays tribute with arrangements and original compositions related to or inspired by the legendary saxophonists Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and John Coltrane. Led by bassist Luther Hughes, the band includes Glenn Cashman on tenor, Bruce Babad on alto, Ed Czach on piano and Paul Kreibich on drums. The Birch North Park Theatre is located at 2891 University Avenue in San Diego's North Park. Tickets are $27 general, $15 for students on the day of the show. For tickets and information, call the box office at 619-239-8836, or visit this webpage.

North County Senior Dance has some great dancing to lead up to the Labor Day holiday. The Billy Harper Band will take the stage Thursday, September 2nd from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Carlsbad Senior Center. And for the nocturnal animals, we have the two Saturday-evening dances from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Escondido Center this week, featuring the sounds of The Sundance Band on August 28th, and a return of the ever-busy Billy Harper Band on the following Saturday, September 4th. 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 760-720-2011. (For detailed scheduling information, senior center addresses, etc., click on the calendar icon to view the schedule in PDF format. You must have Adobe Reader® or similar PDF software installed. Download Adobe Reader® here.)

The San Diego Museum of Man is getting serious about playing. Their latest exhibit, Counter Cultures: The Secret Lives of Games, features games from around the world that will give visitors insight into various cultures, as well as American favorites that have surprising origins. (Chutes and Ladders, for example, was originally Snakes and Ladders from India). Children will be delighted to see contemporary favorites on display, and parents will see classics that they grew up playing. The Museum is also hosting a game design contest for the general public, and two contests for kids, to help get in the spirit of game-playing. Winners will have their game displayed in the exhibition; the deadline for submission is July 1st. For information on contest rules, and the many events associated with this exhibit, call 619-239-2001, or visit online.

The Fallbrook Art Center proudly presents Transferring Ink II, its third exhibition and sale of fine art prints, in the Janice Griffiths Gallery from September 5th through October 23rd. The various processes of printmaking will be explored in an unusual manner, contrasting historical works with the works of juried contemporary printmakers. One section of the show will identify the four main processes: Relief, Intaglio, Lithography, and Serigraphy, using works by historically significant artists including Whistler, Currier & Ives, Picasso, Warhol, and Rockwell Kent. The other section features contemporary works by 25 artists selected from an international call for entries. An opening reception for the artists takes place Saturday, September 4th from 5 to 7 p.m. The Fallbrook Art Center is located at 103 South Main Avenue in Fallbrook. For gallery hours, admission prices, and other information, call 760-728-1414, or visit online.

The National Brain Tumor Society will host its 9th Annual San Diego Brain Tumor Walk, Saturday, September 11th at Mission Bay Park (at Crown Point), 3600 Corona Oriente Road, San Diego. Registration is from 8 to 9 a.m., with all activities from 9 to noon. All ages are welcome to participate, and there is an optional 5K Walk that is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, along with food, music, prizes, and much more. Proceeds from this event will support brain tumor research and patient services of the Society. For registration fees and other information, or to register, visit online—or call toll-free, 1-866-455-3214.

The San Diego River Park Foundation's Clean and Green Team seeks volunteers to help clean up and restore a very challenging section of the San Diego River, on Saturday, September 11th from 9 a.m. to noon. Adventurous types are highly encouraged to help remove one of the last and largest trash and dumpsites just south of Qualcomm Stadium. All tools and supplies will be provided, but wear your grubbies and sturdy, closed shoes; no sandals or open shoes, please. Community service hours will be verified for those who need them. Volunteers will meet in section J-5 of the stadium parking lot, on the south-west corner. For directions and other information, e-mail volunteer@sandiegoriver.org, or call 619-297-7380.

The Challenge Center presents its 13th Annual Comedy Night fundraising event, Saturday, September 11th at 5:30 p.m. at the luxurious Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Enjoy an elegant gourmet dinner paired with sumptuous wines, plus live and silent auctions. Topping the evening will be a comedy performance by a premier Hollywood comedian. Tickets start at $175 per person, and sponsorships are still available. All proceeds will benefit the Challenge Center Scholarship Fund, and transform the lives of persons with severe mobility disorders through exceptional physical therapy and specialized fitness and wellness programs. Seating is limited to 300 persons, so don't delay. Visit online, or call 760-533-7379.

Cowabunga! It's the Fifth Annual Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center, Sunday, September 12th from 9 to 2 at Dog Beach! Grab your board and your pooch, and don't forget the leash, because it's required! This is a non-competitive event that includes a half-hour dog-surfing contest, the Beach Bum and Bikini Babe Canine Costume Contest, and "Doo the Dah" team-surfing competition. For more information, call 858-756-4117, ext. 312; or visit online. For a complete schedule of the Center's special events for August and September, visit this webpage.

Registered Dietician Danielle Lipparelli will present a lecture entitled Eating Tips During Cancer Treatment, Thursday, September 16th at 5:30 p.m. in Classrooms B and C of Scripps Mercy Hospital, 4077 Fifth Avenue in San Diego. Learn how to improve nutritional intake while going through cancer treatment. Managing treatment side effects, information on high-calorie and high-protein foods to strengthen and improve treatment, and healthy snack choices will be discussed. Admission is free of charge. For details, call 1-800-SCRIPPS—that's 1-800- 727-4777. Learn more about Ms. Lipparelli's entire series of lectures for 2010 by visiting this webpage.

The Carlsbad Senior Center offers several events in September of interest to seniors. On Friday, September 17th, and also on the following Friday the 24th, Registered Nurse Eileen Vincent will answer your questions pertaining to a diagnosis, prescription, or medical condition. Each Q & A session runs from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 119, and admission is free of charge. No reservation is necessary. On Monday, September 20th, the Center will host a lecture by Judy Condie, a physical therapist and board-certified geriatric specialist, on how to reduce the risks of falling. The lecture takes place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as part of a Fall Prevention Awareness Faire, which takes place Wednesday the 22nd from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Health-care and safety professionals will be present to assess participants for their risk of falling, and provide demonstrations of balance exercises and multisensory activities. The Carlsbad Senior Center is located at 799 Pine Avenue in Carlsbad. For detailed information about the Center, please visit this webpage; see also the Carlsbad Senior Center's newsletter, Seaside Buzz.

The Veterans Medical Research Foundation's Honoring Service Gala takes place Saturday, September 18th from 6 to 10 p.m. at Fairbanks Ranch Association Clubhouse in Rancho Santa Fe. Hosted hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer will be offered at 6, and the dinner and awards ceremony begin at 7. The evening's honoree will be Jacqueline Parthemore Blank, MD. This event will raise money to support VA research that addresses the unique health concerns of the men and women who served our country. Veterans Medical Research Foundation is the only research entity dedicated to veterans in this region, and your support will honor the service of our nation's veterans with access to the finest research-based health care. To make a donation online, please visit this webpage. For further information regarding the Gala, please contact Sarah Allen at 858-552-7406.

Lean and Green Kids is an organization devoted to teaching kids—and grown-ups—about healthier, "green" food choices that emphasize the power of plant proteins in fighting disease and global warming. Please join them for an Organic Garden Party, Saturday, September 18th from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Center for a Healthy Lifestyle (next to the Boys and Girls Club), 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. Enjoy delicious food, guest speakers, a silent auction, and the company of fabulous people who care about the health of children—and the health of their planet. Music will be provided by the band Stone Train, featuring vocalist Krista Richardson; dancing is encouraged! To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit online, or call 310-985-9517.

Middle- and high-school girls, mothers, educators, youth leaders, and all women interested in learning more about the Young Women's Leadership Program are invited to attend a presentation by Courtney Macavinta, founder and CEO of Respect Rx, and author of the best-selling book RESPECT: A Girl's Guide to Getting Respect and Dealing When Your Line Is Crossed. The event takes place Saturday, September 25th from 9 a.m. to noon at 2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 200, San Diego. Admission is $10, and scholarships are available. Seating is limited; to register, and for required parental permission and media release forms, please visit this webpage.

The Lakeside River Park Conservancy presents its 4th Annual "Once in a Blue Moon" Dinner and Auction, on Saturday, September 25th. Cocktails begin at 5 p.m., and dinner will be served at 7. Parking is located at 11661 Riverford Road, in the River Run East Industrial Park parking lot. Enjoy great wines from renowned California wineries, fresh-brewed beer from Stone Brewing Co., and a twinkle-lit, alfresco Italian dinner along the trees near the San Diego River, catered by Mario's Ristorante Italiano! Proceeds directly benefit Lakeside's River Park Conservancy as general support for all park programs, with trail maintenance and expansion and habitat maintenance for the plants and animals that make the riverbed their home. Tickets are $65 per person, $120 per couple, or $540 for a table of eight. Volunteers are requested, and sponsorship and program advertising opportunities are available. Reserve online by September 15th. For more information, e-mail kristenriverpark@gmail.com, or call 619-443-4770.

Have you always wanted to be a trained naturalist, but aren't sure how to begin? Why not sign up for the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy's annual Docent Training program, beginning Tuesday, October 5th and running for seven consecutive weeks at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center? Learn from experienced naturalists and educators, and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing the natural systems well enough to teach others. No background in natural history or biology is necessary. Key topics in the training include plant and animal identification, nature interpretation, and managing children with high energy. For a complete syllabus and other information, call 760-436-3944, or visit this webpage.

Communications professionals are invited to attend the AV Technology Today conference at the Sheraton Mission Valley San Diego Hotel on Wednesday, October 13th. This hands-on technology event explores the latest in unified communications, including 3D and LED Display Technologies, Audio and Video Conferencing, and Digital Signage. If you are responsible for purchasing or overseeing installation, integration or operations of technology for your business, agency or organization, you should attend. This conference is brought to you by InfoComm International, the leading nonprofit association serving the professional AV communications industry worldwide.

To acknowledge 20 years of successful cross-border philanthropy in the San Diego-Baja California border region, the International Community Foundation is hosting Giving without Borders, a celebration honoring local and regional heroes for their contributions to the cross-border community. The event takes place Saturday, October 23rd from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice, 5998 Alcalá Park in Diego. Christy Walton will be honored for being an international philanthropic visionary, Lucy Killea for her cross-border philanthropic leadership, and DJ Orthopedics for cross-border corporate leadership. The event will feature entertainment by the world renowned Gilbert Castellanos and the Latin Jazz Quintet. Tickets are $250 per person. To purchase tickets, visit this webpage, or call 619/336-2250. For more information, please e-mail AmyC@icfdn.org, or call 619-336-2253.

Join the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Walk, on Saturday, November 14th at Embarcadero Marina Park, to raise funds in support of the fight for healthy lungs and healthy air. Walk for those suffering from asthma, lung cancer, and other lung diseases. Walk to fight for clean air and to help everyone breathe easier! Register online, or call 619-297-3901 for more information.

Other Announcements

Experience the wonders of wetlands through free guided docent-led tours at San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve. These walks provide insight into the history of the reserve, as well as the many plants and animals that reside within it. Participants gain an appreciation for the reserve's incredible diversity, and learn about the importance of preserving this endangered ecosystem. Free tours are offered every Saturday at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center (2710 Manchester Ave. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea) from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and every second Saturday monthly from the Rios Avenue trailhead in Solana Beach from 9 to 11 a.m. For more information, visit this webpage, or call 760-436-3944, ext. 701.

CONNECT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses in San Diego. Since 1985, CONNECT has assisted in the formation and development of over 2,000 companies, and is widely regarded as the world's most successful regional program linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success. More than 25 countries and regions have adopted the CONNECT model, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Australia, and China. For more information, please call 858-964-1300—or visit online.

The Charter School of San Diego is currently enrolling new students in grades 7 through 12. This is a tuition-free public school with 20 convenient school sites located throughout San Diego County. If your children can benefit from a rigorous education that's personalized to meet their specific needs, call 858-678-2020, or visit online. Charter School of San Diego is there for you, and daring to make a difference.

Pit Bull Rescue San Diego is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) non- profit organization devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing pit bulls in San Diego area shelters, as well as educating the public about responsible pet ownership, and advocating against the inhumane and unethical activities of dogfighting, backyard breeding, and housing discrimination by breed. Pit Bull Rescue San Diego also maintains a directory of apartments, condo complexes, and property-management companies that are pit bull-friendly. Find out more by calling 760-231-1909. or by visiting online.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, is a non-profit organization providing education, support services and advocacy to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. NAMI offers two programs called Family To Family and Peer to Peer. Each is a set of courses designed to provide guidance for persons with mental illness or brain disorders, as well as their families. These courses are provided free of charge, and some courses are available in Spanish. Call the NAMI San Diego Helpline at 619-543-1434, or 800-523-5933 to enroll—or visit NAMI San Diego online and click "Services" for more information.

Challenge Center is a non-profit organization devoted to transforming dramatically the quality of life of persons with severe mobility disorders through exceptional physical therapy, and specialized fitness and wellness programs, in an environment of hope and possibilities. Challenge Center is located at 5540 Lake Park Way in La Mesa. For more information about Challenge Center, or to donate, call 619-667-8644, or visit online.

Mama's Kitchen brings daily sustenance and hope to more than 1,500 people in San Diego County who are living with AIDS, cancer, or other critical illnesses. Won't you make a contribution of $35 or more to help? A donation of just $50 provides three meals a day for six days. Mail your donation to Mama's Kitchen, 1875 Second Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101. For more information, call 619-233-6262, or visit online.

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.

Do you like to meet and greet the public? Learn about California's Superior Court by staffing the information desks at various court locations. Volunteer training is provided. Call 619-450-7443, or consult the Volunteer Opportunities Section of the Court's web page.

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.

The California Tax Education Council asks: Is your tax preparer legal? State law mandates that only attorneys, Enrolled Agents, CPAs, or CTEC Registered Tax Preparers can prepare your tax returns for a fee. Not sure which one your preparer is? You had better find out! Otherwise, you could pay the consequences. Protect yourself, and do your research; you have a right to ask your preparers for their credentials. For more information, call 877-850-CTEC, 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.

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.

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.

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 Helen Woodward Animal Center asks you to remember the pets of homebound elderly and disabled persons, some of whom have to choose between feeding themselves, or feeding their beloved companions. Donate pet food to the AniMeals Program of the Center, at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe...or in the AniMeals bins at San Diego PETCO stores. Visit online for more information, or call 858-756- 4117, extension 341.

And the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Pet of the Week is Brandi, a two-and-a-half-year-old, spayed-female, domestic short-haired Maine Coon cat! Beautiful markings and pale, golden eyes make Brandi an incomparably smooth, "top-shelf" kitty! She's looking for a home with humans at least ten years of age, and no dogs, please. Brandi, you're a fine girl...what a good cat you will be! For more information about Brandi, or any of the delightful dogs and cats available for adoption into loving homes, call the Center at 858-756-4117, or visit online.