Social Butterfly

August 16th, 2007

Evelyn Madison- The Social Butterfly

Community Grants Awarded by Supervisor Pam Slater-Price

Grants promoting the community, that build a sense of togetherness, were awarded recently by 3rd District Supervisor, Pam Slater-Price. Honoring veterans was one of the categories selected when grants were being given out. One such grant was for $2,500 to Paradise Community Services, which will be used to purchase personalized name plaques for the Military Tribute and Wall of Courage exhibit in Escondido. Teacher Angie Hazel started the exhibit as a special education project for her students at Oak Hill Elementary School. Opening this fall, it will pay tribute to "the past, present and future members of our armed forces," with three life size bronze statues to be permanently installed at Grape Day Park. Individual plaques will be installed on the "Wall of Courage."

Doll Show Coming to the Sikes Adobe House

On Saturday, August 18, from 9am - 12Noon, there will be a doll show at the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead, sponsored by the San Dieguito River Park. "Dolls Through Time" will feature many dolls and how they have been used through the centuries – wooden bodied dolls, mechanical dolls, bisque dolls, and even dolls from the native west and Alaska. Cathe Lambert, a member of the Doll Artisan Guild, will be on hand to present these turn of the century dolls.

The Sikes house is located at 12655 Sunset Drive, across from the North County Fair Mall off Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido. It is a cul-de-sac with parking off street, and on the lot at end of the street. Look for the windmill between the trees. The house is 50 yards off the Mule Hill Trail within view of the road. The event is free, and no reservations are required. For more information, contact Barbara Baker at 858.674.2275, Ext. 14, or email Barbara@sdrp.org.

Reporter/Author to Speak at Democratic Club Meeting

Dean Calbreath, reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune, and a member of the reporting team that uncovered the corruption of former 50th District Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, will be the featured speaker at the Saturday, August 25 meeting of the Escondido Democratic Club. The meeting is scheduled for 10:30am at the East Valley Community Center, 2245 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido. The meeting is free and open to the public, with free parking available. For information about the meeting or the club, visit the website at www.escondidodems.com or call Rick Moore at 760.740.8595.

Calbreath and three colleagues at the newspaer shared a Pulitzer Prize for uncovering what has been called the biggest bribery scandal in U.S. history. The team has published a book about the scandal, "The Wrong Stuff: The Extraordinary Saga of Randy "Duke" Cunningham, the Most Corrupt Congressman Ever Caught."

Children's Museum Presents “Discovering Nature’s Alphabet” Exhibit

On Saturday, August 18, at 10am, the Escondido Children's Museum will host the creators of "Discovering Nature's Alphabet" for a special opening of the exhibit. It features 84 original photographs taken by world renowned photographers, Krystina Castella and Brian Boyl. The photographs depict letters of the alphabet “formed entirely by nature, untouched by human hands.” The photographers will be giving a short lecture and leading a nature walk through the park, where participants are invited to bring their cameras for a special lesson. This exclusive opportunity is a suited for both children and adults to explore local plant and wildlife with the help of a trained eye.

The mission of the Escondido Children’s Museum is to inspire kids to learn about our world through imagination, exploration, and experimentation. “Discovering Nature’s Alphabet is about stopping, looking, seeing, and discovering,” says photographer Krystina Castella. "Our experience as educators has taught us that a well-honed sense of perception is not only critical in the visual arts but in most forms of advance study. The sensitivity begins in childhood and continues throughout ones’ entire life when nurtured.”

The Museum will offer weekly programming and docent- led discussion tours of the exhibit every Friday through the months of August-October. These special programs will be open to all and free with museum admission. Contact Tricia James at 760.739.9513 for more information or visit www.escondidochildrensmuseum.org or www.discoveringnaturesalphabet.com.

Buena Vista Audubon Plans August Events

Plants are going dormant and we need to start pruning. To help, bring gloves and tools on Sunday, August 19, at 2pm, to the meeting of the Buena Vista Native Plant Club at the Audubon Nature Center, 2202 So. Coast Hwy., Oceanside. For more information, visit the website at BVNPC@sbcglobal.net, or call the Center at 760.439.2473.

And, Basic Birding is back at the Lagoon Landing. Birders of all skill levels are invited to spend a morning with leader Tom Troy at the Buena Vista Lagoon Landing on Jefferson St. in Carlsbad. Tom will help you identify birds by sight and sound, with added instruction in the use of binoculars and scopes. Presented free by the Buena Vista Audubon Society, on the last Saturday of each month at 8:30am. Take I-5 to Hwy 78 East, exit Jefferson. Turn right and go to stoplight. Turn right and park in landing parking lot on right side of road. For more information, call Tom Troy at 760.967.6915.

St John's to Host Fiesta de las Flores

It’s hamburgers and shakes, poodle skirts, and rock and roll at the Sock Hop on August 24, to kick off the three-day Fiesta de las Flores. The Fiesta is held annually at St. John’s Church, 1001 Encinitas Blvd., near Balour Drive and Oakcrest Park, Encinitas. Fiesta hours are Friday 5pm-10pm; Saturday 10am-10pm; and Sunday 10am-9pm. Parking is best reached directly from Encinitas Blvd. Family is emphasized at the Fiesta. Festivities will include rides and games for children of all ages. An XBox competition and lazer tag are sure to attract the teens, and prizes will be awarded for all games. There will be entertainment throughout the Fiesta.
The highlight on Saturday, August 25, will be a Mexican dance from 8:00pm-11:00pm hosted by the Minister of Couples (Ministerio de Matrimonios) featuring the band Arranque Norteno. On Sunday, the Order Sons of Italy in America will serve Italian food – sausage sandwiches and a pasta dinner. The weekend will be capped on Sunday night when a winner will be announced for the $10,000 raffle grand prize.

Admission to the Fiesta is FREE. There is a fee of $7/adults and $4/children for the Sock Hop. The Mexican dance is $15/couple or $10/single. Proceeds from the fiesta go to reduce the building debt.

The Fiesta will host a Trash & Treasures sale, including plants. Mexican food, Western BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, desserts, soft drinks, and bottled water will be available for purchase, with a beer and wine garden for the adults.

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