Social Butterfly

December 17th, 2009

Evelyn Madison- The Social Butterfly

"Day Without A Bag" is Today, Thursday

Today, Thursday, December 17th, the City of Oceanside invites the public to be a part of Green Oceanside and participate in a "Day Without A Bag" by urging shoppers to forego the use of disposable plastic and paper bags in favor of reusable totes. To encourage and support participation in this event, the City, with support of several local businesses and community organizations, will be distributing reusable bags at multiple locations throughout the day.

While supplies last, locations include, but are not limited to: "Bagless" Sunset Market, downtown Oceanside, 5 to 9pm. Wal-Mart donated 600 reusable bags to be handed out at specific times during the day to their customers by volunteers at each location; 2100 Vista Way, 3405 Marron Rd., and 705 College Blvd. Cream of the Crop, 2009 South Coast Hwy, will have reusable bags available at a discounted price of $0.25. Several Oceanside recreation and resource centers. Promoting the use of reusable bags will be Barnes and Noble, and Target.

Plastic bags make up the greatest amount of litter debris in our streets, waterways, and beaches. The City of Oceanside invites you to participate to make the "Day Without A Bag" a success.

Lessons and Carols Performance Scheduled to Support Interfaith

The North County-based social service nonprofit, Interfaith Community Services, invites the community to attend Lessons & Carols, a musical and scriptural reading of the First Christmas, performed by renowned violinist Lynne-Marie Friedrichs and pianist Joseph Valent, on Saturday, December 19. The event will be held at 2pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut Street, Escondido. Admission is free. Donations are greatly welcomed and will benefit the work of Interfaith helping neighbors overcome homelessness, poverty and hardship in North County. For more information, contact Interfaith Community Services at 760.489.6380, or visit the website at www.interfaithservices.org/news/html.

RB Chorale To Present "Glad Tidings We SING!"

With dazzling sets, festive costumes and talented soloists, the 110 voice-strong RB Chorale's annual holiday shows will be held Monday and Tuesday, December 21st and 22nd, at 7pm at the Poway Performing Arts Center, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. This year's shows are geared toward families, so kids and grandkids are welcome. Children 12 and under are admitted for the budget-friendly price of $5. These popular performances are always a sellout. Shows will feature musical selections from the holiday season and more, plus some sing-alongs and a visit from Santa Claus.

The Chorale raises money, through their shows, for graduating high school seniors who wish to continue their pursuit of a musical education at an academic institution of higher learning. Each year up to $10,000 is awarded. Ticket prices are Seniors (55+), Students (13-18) and Military, $18/each; General Admission is $20; Children (infant to 12), $5; Preferred Seating, $30/each. Visit the website at www.rbchorale.org for more information, or call chorale members, PPCA, or the website for tickets.

"Santa Inc" Show for Children at Oceanside's Sunshine Brooks Theatre

The Sunshine Brooks Theatre in Oceanside will host on stage an original interactive holiday show "Santa Inc" presented by Music With A Twist Of Mime, starring San Diego's famous mime and theater teacher, Jerry Hager. The program will be on Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20, at 2pm and 6pm, at 217 North Coast Hwy., Oceanside. During this show, children will be taken on an adventure to the North Pole and encounter the crew that operates it, including the kind bearded boss of "Santa Inc." There will be magic, songs, juggling, puppets, mimes, plus surprise guest artists, and a chance for up-close photo opportunities with Santa.

Tickets are $5/children; $7/adults; $20 for families. Call 760.529.9140 or visit the website at www.sunshinebrookstheatre.org for more information.

Homeless Bunnies are "Dreaming of a White Christmas"

The Escondido Humane Society is making a white Christmas possible with a "Dreaming of a White Christmas" adoption special for white bunnies. From Saturday, December 19 to Saturday, January 9, all white bunnies can be adopted for just $22.50 (that's half-off their regular adoption fee). If a family adopts a pair of bunnies and one of them is all white, the pair can be adopted together for just $45.

There are several all-white bunnies available -- 19 as of last week -- and the hope that the special will help them find homes in time for the holidays. All adoption fees include up-to-date vaccinations, spay/neuter, microchip and vet exam. The special includes only bunnies that are completely white, like Cuddles and Kimber For more information, call 760.888.2247 or log on to www.escondidohumanesociety.org. The shelter's adoption center is open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week.

Cuddles

Kimber

Chapter Decorates Adobe for the Holidays

Each December the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is decorated by various civic organizations and is a part of the Home Tour sponsored by the Vista Community Clinic. This year’s decorating took place in the dining room and since the adobe was built in 1850, the decorations reflected the time period up to 1930’s. Rancho Buena Vista Adobe is the best-preserved of the famed land-grant ranchos, and the RBV Chapter is proud to take its name from this historic adobe located in Vista.

DAR is open to any female age 18 or older who can prove a lineal bloodline from someone who served in the Continental Army or gave aid to the cause of freedom in the American Revolution. For additional information, contact 760.736.0178 or by e-mail to rbvdar@gmail.com.

Managing Career, Family and Stress During the Holidays

Recently, three successful panelists answered questions and discussed what every woman should hear about managing career, family and stress during the holidays. Dr. Alicia Gwynn believes that when it comes to business and success, it's all about balance and planning. Dr. Gwynn uses her life experience to guide women striving to be successful. Carol LeBeau is a celebrated local icon who covered health news for nearly three decades and now pursues her passion of advocating for healthy lifestyles. Pat Reno has been in the financial industry since 1987; currently First Vice President-Financial Consultant of the Royal Bank of Canada Wealth Management. She is a former teacher, frequent speaker, and longtime volunteer in the community. The Women's Executive Forum and dinner was presented in Rancho Bernardo by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce (SDNCC) and the American Business Women's Association (ABWA), moderated by Angelo Damante.

L-R, Pat Reno, Dr. Alicia Gwynn, Carol LeBeau and Angelo Damante

Senator Mark Wyland to Speak at The Escondido Republican Club Meeting

On December 21, The Escondido Republican Club Meeting will be held, with social starting at 11:30am and lunch at 12noon, at Cocina del Charro, 525 No. Quince, Escondido. Senator Mark Wyland will be the speaker and will give an update on the happenings in Sacramento. He represents the people of the 38th Senate District; serves on seven committees, chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, and vice-chair of both the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Labor & Industrial Relations Committee. Mark grew up in Escondido, where he attended local schools.

A Mexican buffet lunch includes tostada bar, enchiladas, beans, rice, and salad. Cost is $12/person; chips, salsa and beverages included. Reservations are now being handled online, and if you do not have Internet access, call Sharon Wood at 760.741.5060 by Friday, December 18. For this meeting, please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the meeting to be presented to "Operation Homefront" for distribution to the children of active duty military personnel for Christmas.

Audubon to Sponsor The Great Christmas Bird Count 2009

On Saturday, December 26, the Buena Vista Audubon Society will host their annual Christmas Bird Count in and around Oceanside. From 8am till noon, they will have covered much of North County and will reconvene at the Nature Center, 2202 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, where their results will be tallied. Last year's search resulted in the identification of over 190 bird species. To volunteer, email Terry Hunefeld at thunefeld@gmail.com. Novice birders are invited to join the Basic Birding class at the B. V. Lagoon Landing in Carlsbad at 8:30am. Contact Tom Troy at 760.967.6915.

This Christmas Bird Census has been operational since 1900. In the 109 years since then, the annual Audubon bird count has become a popular and very important event, part research and part fun.

Nonprofit Experiences 58% Increase in Services; 53% Decrease in Donations

Interfaith Community Services, continues to experience record increases in the number of families seeking first-time assistance for emergency resources as a result of the economy. Compared to two years ago, Interfaith has seen a 58% increase in service needs but donations are down 53% over the same time period. The sharpest increases are in first-time clients and two-parent families, which is up 85%.

"Our lobby is literally overflowing every day with people unable to make ends meet," said Suzanne Stewart Pohlman, Interfaith's executive director. "Homelessness, particularly among families, is also on the rise," added Pohlman. In the last eight months, 308 families have received rental assistance, one of the many services provided by Interfaith, which prevented more than 830 children and their parents from becoming homeless in North County.

To make a donation, call Interfaith at 760.489.6380, or visit www.interfaithservices.org.

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