POLITICAL
Sunday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m., Point Loma Democratic Club hosts Nathan Gonzalez, a Middle East specialist and founder of Nation-andState.org. Gonzalez will discuss his current book. “Engaging Iran: The Rise of a Middle East Powerhouse and America’s Strategic Choice.” The event takes place at the Peninsula Community Room, 3740 Sports Arena Blvd. For more information, call (619) 222-7230.
COMMUNITY/CIVIC
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library hosts “Baby Read-Aloud Basics” with specialist Barbara Ramirez. Event takes place in the community room of the library, 3701 Voltaire St. Reservations required. For more information, call Lynne Russo at (619) 531-1539, or register in person downstairs at the Youth Services Librarian’s Reference Desk.

Thursday, Oct. 25, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Ocean Beach MainStreet Association hosts 2007 OBMA Awards Celebration to honor contributors in the local business community. Event takes place at the Point Loma Masonic Lodge, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. For more information, call (619) 224-4906.

Sunday, Oct. 28, Step Out to Fight Diabetes (formerly America’s Walk for Diabetes) fund-raising walk. Event takes place at Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station. For more information, call (888) DIABETES, or visit www. www.diabetes.org.

Monday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m., Spooky Story Time, Ocean Beach Branch Library, 4801 Santa Monica Ave. For more information, call (619) 531-1532.
Thursday, Nov. 1, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Dia de los Muertos (Mexican Day of the Dead) fund-raiser to benefit Friends of Scott Foundation and Friends to Children with Cancer. Event to take place at Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, 4105 Taylor St. Cost $25. For more information or to RSVP by Oct. 23, e-mail [email protected], or call (619) 890-2828.

Thursday, Nov. 1, 3:30 p.m., Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library hosts Ziggy, a local author/illustrator, who will give his first public reading of “Willa the Witch.” Event takes place in the community room of the library, 3701 Voltaire St. For more information, call (619) 531-1539.
Friday, Nov. 2, deadline for national scholarship competition hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 1392 and its Ladies Auxiliary in Ocean Beach. The contest is called “Voice of Democracy,” with a theme of “My Role in Honoring America’s Veterans.” The contest is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Local awards for first, second and third place are $300, $200 and $100 U.S. savings bonds. For more information, call (619) 223-4882, or visit www.vfw.org (click on Voice of Democracy).
Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. to noon, FasTracKids of San Diego County and DS Action hosts sign language workshop at Kids Included Together’s National Training Center, 2820 Roosevelt Road, 2nd floor, at Liberty Station in Point Loma. A $30 donation is suggested to help DS Action and Rady’s Children’s Hospital open a Down Syndrome Center in Southern California.
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m., Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library hosts “Dueling Maringas” with Beverly Reese Darcy and Cathy George. Event is free at the library, 3701 Voltaire St. For more information, call (619) 531-1539.
Saturday, Nov. 24, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Christmas Tree Lighting at Paradise Point Resort & Spa, 1404 Paradise Road. The event will feature 20,000 colored lights on a 40-foot-high tree and caroling. For more information, call (858) 274-4630, or visit www.paradisepoint.com.
Mondays, 3 p.m., “Baby Signing Storytime” with Jennifer Duncan, Ocean Beach Branch Library, 4801 Santa Monica Ave. For more information, call (619) 531-1532.
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to noon, Sacred Heart Church of Ocean Beach offers classes in tai chi taught by certified instructor Sherlie Miller. Classes take place at the church, 4776 Saratoga Ave. For more information, call (619) 224-2746, or (858) 292-6284.

Thursdays through Nov. 15, 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library hosts series “Let’s Knit!” Events take place in the community room of the library, 3701 Voltaire St. For more information, call (619) 531-1539.

ENVIRONMENT
Saturday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Zero Waste San Diego hosts four popular environmental films for a free public viewing. Event takes place at the Point Loma Masonic Hall, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. For more information, visit www.zerowastesandiego.org.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m., San Diego Coastkeeper hosts California Paddle for Plastics 2007, a paddle-out and beach cleanup at the Ocean Beach Pier, Veterans Plaza. The event promotes the plastic-free ocean campaign. For more information, call (619) 758-7743.

SCHOOLS
Dana Middle School
“¢ Today, Oct. 25, Dana School Jogathon.
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, Dana Pride Day.
“¢ Through Friday, Oct. 26, Red Ribbon Week.
“¢ Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2 “” group 4 to Balboa Park.

Dewey Elementary
“¢ Thursday, Oct. 25, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Fall Festival.

Loma Portal Elementary
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Halloween festivities with food, fun, prizes, games and costume and haunted house hosted by Dad’s Club..
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, Red Ribbon Week begins with yoga on the blacktop; 2 to 3:15 p.m., “Fun Fire Safety” assembly.
“¢ Tuesday, Oct. 30, I Dent-A-Kid on campus.
“¢ Through October, parents invited to join or renew memberships with PTA.
“¢ Through October, every Friday is “Spirit Friday.” To obtain a Loma Portal T-shirt or sweatshirt, call (619) 223-1683.
“¢ Through October, sign up with eScrip to support the school. Merchants contribute 8 percent to purchases. Vons cards renewed online at www.eScrip.com.
“¢ Thursday, Nov. 1, 6 to 7 p.m., volunteer reading tutors needed for Everyone-A-Reader program. For information, call (619) 223-4810.

Ocean Beach Elementary
“¢ Thursday, Oct. 25, Bank Day.
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, 1 to 2 p.m., American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart in blacktop area. Volunteers needed. Call (619) 223-1631.
“¢ Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2:30 p.m., SSC/SGT meeting.
“¢ Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1st- graders to Bates Nut Farm.
“¢ Thursday, Nov. 1, Bank Day and academic chess at 12:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Academy
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, 3rd-graders visit Bates Nut Farm.

Silver Gate Elementary
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, 8 a.m., principal’s chat with K-1 parents in library.
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, noon, Goodies for Grandparents Day, lunch and classroom visit.
“¢ Wednesday, Oct. 31, 1:45 p.m., Halloween parade.
“¢ Thursday, Nov. 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m., best-selling author, columnist, speaker and family psychologist holds parenting seminar entitled “Parenting the Strong-Willed Child,” in school auditorium.
“¢ Friday, Nov. 2, 9 to 10:30 a.m., best-selling author, columnist, speaker and family psychologist holds parenting seminar entitled “Assuming the Power of Parenthood,” in school auditorium.
Sunset View Elementary
“¢ Saturday, Nov. 3, 4 to 7 p.m., 49th annual Halloween Carnival with costume contests, haunted house, game booths, cake decorating, arts and crafts and “slime booth.” Volunteers also needed from grades 5 through 12. Time is credited toward community service hours. For information, e-mail [email protected].
“¢ Through October, schoolwide recycling contest. Items to be recycled include all ink cartridges (except Epson brand, no toner cartridges), laptops, keyboards, cell phones, digital cameras, IPODs and DVDs. Individuals or businesses may drop off items at the school office.

Warren-Walker School
“¢ Oct. 25-26, lower and middle school book exchange.
“¢ Today, Oct. 25, 3 and 4 p.m., flag football at home vs. Parker.
“¢ Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m, middle school Halloween dance.
“¢ Monday, Oct. 29, 3:15 and 4:15 p.m, flag football vs. Rancho Santa Fe.
“¢ Tuesday, Oct. 30, 3:15 and 4:15 p.m., flag football at home vs. Santa Fe Christian.
“¢ Tuesday, Oct. 30, 3:45 and 4:30 p.m, girls volleyball at home vs. Santa Fe Christian.
“¢ Wednesday, Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m., lower school Halloween presentations and parade.
“¢ Thursday, Nov. 1, 3:15 p.m., flag football at home against Santa Fe Christian.

SPORTS
Saturdays through Oct. 31, 9 to 10:30 a.m., The Rock Church offers free mixed martial arts classes through the Right Cross Mixed Martial Arts ministry. Training held at Knockout Fitness, 1231 Camino del Rio South. Additional classes held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Lord’s Gym, 4153 Market St. For more information, call (619) 226-7625, or visit www.therocksandiego.org.

HEALTH
Wednesday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile hosts blood drive at Roel Construction, 3366 Kurtz St., Sports Arena. For more information, call (800) 4MY-SDBB, or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.

Sunday, Nov. 4, noon to 4 p.m., Reproductive Wellness, an integrative fertility treatment center in San Diego, hosts Reproductive Health and Fertility Expo at Marina Village, 1936 Quivera Way. Event raises money for the National Infertility Association RESOLVE program in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week. For more information, call (877) 843-7100, or visit www.reproductivewellness.com.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Through Sunday, Oct. 28 (Thursday through Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m.), Talent to a Muse Theatre Company presents “Caliban’s Island,” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” at the Westminster Theatre, 3598 Talbot St. Adult tickets are $15, seniors and military are $13, 12 and under tickets are $10. For more information, call (619) 233-9407, or visit www.talenttoamuse.com.
Friday, Oct. 26, 6 to 9 p.m., Expressive Arts Institute in Point Loma hosts open house featuring art displays from members of Veterans Village of San Diego and the eating disorders community. The event takes place at the NTC Promenade. The institute is located at 2820 Roosevelt St., Bldg. 201, Suite 204. For more information, call (619) 239-1713.

Through Oct. 28, New Visions Art Quilt Gallery hosts a reception to launch a new monthlong exhibit titled “Three Voices/Three Visions,” featuring the quiltwork of artists Elizabeth Barton, Katie Pasquini-Masopust and Fran Skiles. The gallery is located at 2825 Dewey Road, NTC Promenade at Liberty Station. For more information, call (619) 546-4872, or visit www.quiltvisions.org.
Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m, Holy Trinity Parish hosts “The Love of God,” featuring works from The Moody Blues, “4 Him,” and Biblical text compiled by John H. Cochran in a dinner theater setting. Proceeds benefit the Passion Players Ministry at Holy Trinity, 2083 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Tickets are $12.50 per person or $30 for a family of three or more. For more information, call (805) 698-6554 or (619) 222-0365.

Through Nov. 25, the San Diego Art Institute hosts featured artist Ginger Wallace, a Peninsula-area resident for more than 50 years. An artist’s reception takes place Saturday, Oct. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit is themed “Ginger Wallace: Her Art, Wit and Relationships,” showcasing over 80 original artworks selected from her published book “Extraordinary People & Unique, Above Average Children.” The institute is located in Balboa Park, House of Charm, and also at 1439 El Prado St. For more information, call (619) 236-0011, or visit www.sandiego-art.org.

Mondays through Dec. 3, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Peninsula Singers, a community choir rehearses in the community room of the Hervey Family/Point Loma Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St. The public is welcome to listen or participate. The choir particularly seeks male singers. For further information, call artistic director Sarah Suhonen at (619) 804-6079, or e-mail [email protected].

Fridays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market Friday Night Music, 4765 Voltaire St. For more information, call (619) 224-1387, or visit www.obpeoplesfood.coop.

VENUES:
Portugalia restaurant, 4839 Newport Ave.,(619) 222-PORT
“¢ Saturday, Nov. 3, 10 p.m., The HumanRevolution performs.
Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., (619) 222-6822
“¢ Saturday, Oct. 27, Grateful Dead tribute band Cubensis.
“¢ Thursday, Nov. 8, 8:30 p.m., The California Del Rays perform with Dave Allan & The Arrows and Slacktone.

Soma Sidestage, 3550 Sports Arena Blvd., (619) 726-7662.
“¢ Sunday, Nov. 11, The Almost and The Starting Line perform.