Social Butterfly

February 22th, 2007

Evelyn Madison- The Social Butterfly

Assistance League's "Step Into Spring" Fashion Show A Success

Using models from the chapter, last Saturday the Assistance League of Inland North County showed the spring selections from Talbots at their "Step Into Spring" fashion show/luncheon fundraiser. Previous years fundraising events included celebrities Debbie Reynolds, Deborah Norville, Vicki Lawrence, former first lady Barbara Bush, and astronaut Sally Ride. "We're trying something different. Those speakers are very expensive," said Henrietta Bilhorn, co-chair with Bette Finegan. "This type of event works great for us to benefit our projects, mainly Operation School Bell, which dresses children who don't have clothes to wear to school. The group will soon dress its 1,000th student this school year through Operation School Bell."

Models were Pat Bonner, Sherrie Buchanan and grandson Parker Adams, Peg Fisher, Diane Millard, Betty Porter, Bette Wright, Linda Zullinger and granddaughter Abigail Banister.

This chapter's main projects include Operation School Bell; Hug-A-Bear; Ready...Set...Read!; Operation Duffel Bags; Baby Real Deal; and managing/staffing the Bargain Box, the chapter's thrift and consignment shop, in addition to the Outreach and Assisteens Auxiliaries.

If you have some time and want to help the community by participating in these projects, the Assistance League would be happy to have you volunteer. Call them at 746.7532, or stop in and see them at their facility at 2068 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido.

Photos from the event may be found on the Special Feature page.

San Marcos Senior Center Celebrates Valentine's Day in New Dining Room

Recently the Senior Center held a grand re-opening of the newly decorated dining room then turned right around and held a Valentine's Day party in the beautiful facility and lunch was served. Entertainment was provided by Neil Kovrig, a gifted singer and college student involved in local government. He currently sits on the transportation council.

The Center, located at 111 W. Richmar Avenue, serves lunch Monday thru Friday. You need to call the day before to make reservations at 744.5535. The suggested donation for lunch is $3 for seniors ages 60 and older. Cost for all others is $5. To request transportation, contact Jerry at Ext. 3605. For questions, call Deborah at Ext. 3606. (See the picture of the new dining room facility on Page 10.)

The Discovery Cafe at the San Marcos Senior Center

Escondido Rotary Donates Funds to Community Programs

With funds raised from their yearly fundraiser, Coeur de Cuisine, the Escondido Rotary Club recently presented two checks to community organizations. One check in the amount of $1,000 was presented to Susan Hansen, COO of the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation, and one check in the amount of $3,500 was presented to Ron Giles on behalf of the Escondido Education Foundation. (See pictures on Page 10.)

Escondido Rotary meets on Tuesdays at 12:10pm at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. For more information, email cjszytel@sbcglobal.net.

l-r Ron Giles, Jolene Northrop	l-r Alfredo Velasco, Susan Hansen, Bill Smith

Columnist to Speak at Democratic Club Meeting

Saturday, March 3, at 12:30pm, the Lake San Marcos Democratic Club will meet at the Lakeside Pavilion, 1105 La Bonita Dr., Lake San Marcos. James Goldsborough will speak about the Bush Administration and Iraq. He is a nationally syndicated foreign affairs columnist for the San Diego Union, and spent 15 years as a foreign correspondent for Newsweek, the New York and the International Herald Tribune. Members of all parties are welcome. Call Betty Ball at 752.1035 for more information.

Metropolitan Writing Works Launches New Screenwriting Workshop Locally

Celebrating its first year of bringing writers together in North County, the Metropolitan Writing Works has added screenwriting to its program of writing classes with a six-week workshop beginning March 7. Writing for the Screen will be held at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and will be taught by local author Garrett Chaffin-Quiray, who also teaches in the Radio-Television and Cinema programs at Palomar College.

The class is designed for writers who want to put their ideas into a format for the big or small screen, as well as for those who already have some screenwriting experience or even a script in progress. The six-week class will include lectures and discussions on writing for the big or small screen, as well as analyses of myriad film and television series. All writers are welcome.

The class starts Wednesday, March 7, and meets for six consecutive Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30pm at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The fee is $185. Space is limited to ensure a quality experience. For information or to register, visit Metro's website at www.metrowriting.com or call 760.208.1913.

Nursing Home Ombudsmen Needed

The County of San Diego Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for volunteers to help safeguard the rights of residents in nursing homes and board and care facilities. Ombudsmen are advocates for the quality of life and quality of care for residents of long-term care facilities. They also maintain a regular presence in more than 675 skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly in San Diego County.

A free training for volunteers will be held in March. Volunteers must successfully complete a 40-hour training course, 10 hours of fieldwork and be available five hours per week to be recommended for state certification as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Orientation classes will be held from 1-2:30pm Wednesday, February 28, and from 10-11:30am Thursday, March 1. Training classes will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from March 12th to March 27th, from 9am to 2:30pm. Both the orientation and the classes will be held in Kearny Mesa. For additional information, call 858.560.2507 or 1.800.640.4661.

"Being an ombudsman is a rewarding and fulfilling volunteer activity," said Pam Smith, Director, Aging & Independence Services. "Without ombudsmen, residents of long-term care facilities might have no one to speak for them. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community."

Buena Vista Audubon Society Hosts A Basic Birding Program

Birders of all skill levels are invited to spend a Saturday morning at the Buena Vista Lagoon for a closer look at local birds and interesting winter visitors. Host Tom Troy will help identify birds by sight and sound, with added instruction in the use of binoculars and scopes. This program is on the last Saturday of each month at 8:30am, at the Buena Vista Lagoon Landing in Carlsbad. Take I-5 to Hwy 78 East. Exit Jefferson. Turn right and go to stoplight. Turn right and park in the Landing parking lot on right side of the road. For additional information, contact Tom Troy at 760.967.6915.