Federal employee group to hold yard sale

ESCONDIDO -- The National Association of Federal Employees, Escondido Chapter 455, will hold its annual fundraising yard sale at 8 a.m. May 26 and 27 at 1640 Bear Valley Parkway.

See architecture on double-decker bus tour May 27

ESCONDIDO -- Climb aboard a double-decker bus for a tour of Escondido's architecture with historian Lucy Berk at 1 p.m. May 27. The Escondido History Center is sponsoring the tour in honor of National Historic Preservation Month and its own 50th anniversary. Cost of $25 includes refreshments. Reservations are required. Call (760) 743-8207.

Learn about vitamins, minerals

ESCONDIDO -- Robert Thompson, a board certified nutrition support pharmacist, will present "Vitamins, Minerals and Trace Minerals: Which Ones Do You Need?" from 10 a.m. to noon June 10 at the Community Pharmacy of Escondido, 757 E. Valley Parkway. Information: (760) 751-0489, rthompson@myway.com.

Gourd art class set for June 10

ESCONDIDO -- The Baiamonte Gourd Farm will offer a gourd art class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10. Participants can learn how to properly select, handle and clean gourds; cut intricate details; clean the inside of the gourd and seal the outside; strengthen weak walls; and apply a lasting finish.

Classes are limited to small groups in order to ensure one-on-one instruction. Fee of $40 includes a cleaning kit and a gourd that participants take home as a finished piece of art. Reserve to (760) 741-3736.

Seniors offered peer counseling

ESCONDIDO -- Peer counseling support is available through the Senior Service Council in the Dorothy E. Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway (in the Joslyn Senior Center complex).

Application forms are available in the information racks at the Senior Service Council and the Joslyn Senior Center, 210 Park Ave. Fill out all information requested and turn the request in to the reception desk in the front lobby of the Senior Service Council. Applicants will be contacted by phone to set up an appointment. Call (760) 480-0611.

'Dinosaurs: Reel & Robotic' exhibit to open

SAN DIEGO -- From May 27 through Jan. 1, visitors at the San Diego Natural History Museum will see how Hollywood's biggest stars have come to life and changed in the movies over the years through artistic portrayal and advances in scientific information and technology.

The exhibition, called "Dinosaurs: Reel & Robotic," boasts the world's largest collection of original movie posters, models and memorabilia, a dino dig box and giant robotic dinosaurs.

Admission is $5 to $9 until June 30 and $6 to $11 after; free for museum members. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information: http://www.sdnhm.org, (619) 232-3821.

Author to discuss 'print on demand'

SAN DIEGO -- Author Charlotte Foster will discuss her experiences writing and successfully publishing two novels through "print on demand" when Sisters in Crime meets at 7 p.m. June 1 at the Joyce Beers Community Center in Hillcrest. Foster's two novels were published by I/Universe, a print-on-demand publisher with a commercial relationship with Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Sisters in Crime is a group of mystery readers and writers. For information, go to http://www.sincsd.org.

Event to benefit Buckheart Ranch

SAN MARCOS -- A fundraising event to benefit Buckheart Ranch Ministries in Escondido will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 3 at Wal-Mart, Nordahl Road and Center Drive. The event will feature special guests, an inflatable jump house for kids, face painting, food and more. The ranch is a nonprofit organization that works with at-risk youths. To volunteer or for information, call (760) 738-8878 or go to http://www.buckheart.org.

Gala to benefit SD Center for Children

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Center for Children, a day and residential treatment center for children and adolescents with psychological and behavioral challenges, will host its annual dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. June 8 at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.

The event, with an "It's Showtime!" Hollywood theme, will include live music and entertainment, celebrity look-alikes, live and silent auctions and lavish sit-down dinner. Tickets cost $125 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight. Proceeds will benefit the center's treatment programs and client activities.

For event and sponsorship information, call Chaise Isaac at (858) 569-2148 or Dorothy Bolettieri at (858) 569-2124.

Men's health forum slated

ESCONDIDO -- Palomar Pomerado Health will host "The Main Event: A Health Forum for Men" from 7 to 11:30 a.m. June 15 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd.

Television news anchor Bill Griffith will provide the keynote address, sharing the story of his fight against breast cancer and emphasizing the critical importance of seeking regular health exams.

The forum will provide men with an opportunity to sit "ringside" with a physician panel that includes a cardiologist, urologist, oncologist and internist, who will explore the risk factors, symptoms and detection methods for the biggest health threats against men.

Guests also can explore exhibits, take advantage of free health screenings and enjoy a full breakfast. The fee to attend is $35 per person.

For information or to register, call The HealthSource at (800) 628-2880 or visit http://www.pph.org.

Fight ALD benefit golf tourney set

ESCONDIDO -- The nonprofit organization Fight ALD (adrenoleukodystrophy, also known as Lorenzo's oil disease) will hold a benefit golf tournament June 17 at the Welk Resort.

Entry fee of $100 includes an 18-hole golf scramble on the executive course, a catered barbecue, an awards ceremony, raffle and auction. There will be opportunities to beat the pros, win for the longest drive, closest to the pin and most accurate drive, and cash prizes will be paid for holes in one.

Hole and tee sponsorships are available and preregistration is required. For information and to register, call Janis Sherwood at (760) 212-5731. Learn more about ALD at http://www.fightald.org.