COMMUNITY LISTINGS

Nature & Animals

NATURE WALK at the Tecolote Nature Center, 5180 Tecolote Rd., Clairemont, 858-581-9961. On third Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 am, enjoy coastal sage scrub, various chaparral plants, and a live oak grove along a canyon creek wit guide Don Wetzel. Free.

NATURE TOURS presented by Offshoot Tours at the Balboa Park Visitors Center, Balboa Park, 619-231-9193. Saturdays at 10 am, the easy-paced, one-hour walk includes themes suc the park's history, area palm trees, other trees, and desert vegetation, respectively. The occasional 5t Saturday features the Tour del Dia.

CANYONEER HIKES by the San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619-255-0203. On Saturdays & Sundays, join fellow nature enthusiasts to hike various locations in San Diego County. Free. For updated information, visit www.sdnhm.org/canyoneers.

MOBILE PET ADOPTIONS presented by the San Diego Humane Society, 619-299-7012. Ongoing Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am-3 pm, adoptable animals are available at various locations throughout San Diego County. Call or visit www.sdhumane.org for monthly schedule.

WOLF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS at The California Wolf Center, Julian, 619-234-9653. Visit the center and learn about the Nort American Gray Wolf every Saturday at 2:00 pm, by reservation only.

Markets & Festivals

ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE SHOW at the El Cajon Valley Masonic Center, 695 Ballantyne St., El Cajon, 619-579-2191. On the second Wednesday of eac month, from 12-5 pm, immerse yourself in an array of jewelry, silver, porcelain, glassware and more. Admission is $1and appraisals are $5. Free parking is available.

FARMERS MARKET on Newport Ave., between Bacon & Cable, Ocean Beach. Wednesdays, from 4-8pm, one of the city's premier and most popular markets offers dozens of vendors selling fres foods, unique gifts, live entertainment and llama rides for the kids.

MISSION VALLEY OPEN-AIR Market at 2123 Fenton Parkway. Every Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. Offerings include fruits, vegetables, foods, flowers, books, arts and crafts. Donate a “gently used” book and receive a discount on Open Air Market purchases. Proceeds benefit Friends of the Mission Valley Branc Library.

NORT PARK THURSDAY Night Market at 30t Street and Nort Park Way, Nort Park, 619-294-2501. Every Thursday from 4-7 pm, the Farmers Market in Nort Park offers fres fruits, vegetables, flowers, food and crafts.

SEASIDE BAZAAR, 459 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 760-753-1611. Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am-4 pm. Imported crafts, jewelry, artwork, and one of a kind finds from around the world.

ASIAN BAZAAR DOWNTOWN: 3rd. Ave. & J St., featuring Asian food and crafts, produce and cooking demonstrations. Sundays 9 am-12 pm

SWAP MEET: KOBEY'S at the San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., Loma Portal, 619-220-8497. The swap meet is open every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 pm. (www.kobeyswap.com)

FARMERS MARKETS in... CARLSBAD: on Roosevelt St. between Grand Ave. and Carlsbad Village Dr.. Wednesdays, 2-5 pm. CARMEL VALLEY: 3710 Del Mar Heights Road, Carmel Valley. Sundays, 10 am-2 pm. CORONADO: at the corner of 1st. St. and B St., at the old ferry landing, Coronado. Tuesdays, from 2:30-6 pm. CHULA VISTA: at the Eastlake Elementary School, 1955 Hillside Dr., Eastlake, Chula Vista. Fridays, 4-7 pm. DEL MAR: in the City Hall parking lot, corner of El Camino Del Mar and 10t St., Del Mar. Saturdays, 1-4 pm. EAST VALLEY OPEN AIRE MARKET 1868 East Valley Pkwy. ESCONDIDO: in the parking lot of Escondido Charter School, Thursdays, 4-8pm. HILLCREST: in the DMV parking lot, corner of Normal St. and Cleveland St. Sundays, 9 am-1 pm. LA JOLLA at La Jolla Elementary School, Girard St. and Genter St., La Jolla. Sundays, 9 am-1 pm. LA MESA: at La Mesa Village, Allison St., east of Spring St., La Mesa. Fridays, 3-6 pm. MISSION BEACH: in the parking lot at Belmont Park, Mission Beach. Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm. OLD TOWN FARMERS Market, at the corner of Juan and Twiggs Streets, Old Town, 858-272-7054. The Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to12 pm year-round. PACIFIC BEACH: at the Promenade Mall, Mission Blvd., between Reed Ave. and Pacific Beac Blvd., Pacific Beach. Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm. POINT LOMA: 2861 Womble Road, Point Loma, in the parking lot of Hig Tec High, Saturday, 9 am-1 pm. POWAY: in the Old Poway Park, corner of Midland and Temple, Poway. Saturdays, 8 am-12 pm. SCRIPPS RANCH: at the corner of Scripps Poway Pkwy and Spring Canyon Rd., Scripps Ranch. Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm. SOLANA BEAC in the Solana Beac Plaza parking lot, 124 Lomas Santa Fe Dr. Sundays, 2-5 pm. VISTA: in the City Hall parking lot, corner of Eucalyptus and Escondido Ave., Vista. Saturdays, 8-11 am.

Classes, workshops & groups

INCREDIBLE SOUFFLES OF THE WORLD at The Westgate Hotel, 1055 2nd Ave., Downtown, 619-238-1818. On Wednesday, July 14 at 11 am, the elegant and classic dessert is de-mystified when The Westgate pastry team shows you easy and foolproof ways to create wonderful soufflés. $40.

BY THE PEOPLE at the San Diego Central Public Library, 820 E. St., Downtown, 619-236-5800. On Wednesday, July 14 at 6:30 pm, San Diego residents will have an opportunity to express their opinions about American and international foreign policies at a special forum moderated by Gabriel Wisdom, host of The Gabriel Wisdom Show. Free.

DOG & BABY IN HARMONY at the San Diego Humane Society & SPCA, 5500 Gaines St., 6190-299-7012. On Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 pm, learn real-life tips for helping your dog and baby live in harmony. $10 includes materials, light snacks and non-alcoholic refreshments. Please leave pets at home. (www.sdhumane.org)

WRITING WORKSHOP at The Book Works, Flower Hill Center, 2670 Via de la Valle, Suite A230, Del Mar, 858-755-3735. July 15-August 5 (Thursdays, 10 am-12pm) or July 26-August 16 (Mondays, 7-9 pm), learn to develop your ideas and get them organized into a cohesive form. $60 for four classes, registration required.

WRITING WORKSHOP at The Book Works, Flower Hill Center, 2670 Via de la Valle, Suite A230, Del Mar, 858-755-3735. On Thursday, July 15, 7-9 pm, enter the altered state of the creative flow wit humorist & creativity coac Jill Badonsky. $12. Register by calling Jill at 760-4314-1949 or online at www.themuseisin.com.

MASTER CLASS wit Gustavo Romero at the UCSD Institute for Continued Learning, Room 122, Building D, UCSD Extension Complex), 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, 858-534-3409. Eac Wednesday in July, 10 am-noon, the renowned pianist will present his insight and understanding of the music of Franz Josep Haydn.

LGBT WORKSHOPS at the LGBT Community Center,2313 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon, 619-692-2077 x 107. On Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24, 10 am-4 pm, the workshops will help guide participants to tell their personal stories throug the process of digital storytelling. Interested participants should gather any pictures, videos, journals, music, poetry or other artifacts significant to themselves and/or their relationship that will contribute to their own DVD. $60 for individuals or $80 per couple.

BEGINNING YOUR FAMILY SEARC at the San Diego Central Public Library, 820 E. St., Downtown, 619-236-5800. On Saturday, July 17, 2-4 pm, the free workshop will assist people interested in researching their family trees and discovering their ancestors.

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM at the Lemon Grove Community Center, 3146 School Lane, Lemon Grove, 703-475-4598. On Monday, July 19 at 9 am, learn to avoid dangerous situations and prevent criminal confrontations. Developed by the women of the NRA. $5. (www.nrahq.org/rtbav)

COMPUTER CLASSES at the San Diego LGBT Community Center, 2123 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon, 619-260-6380. Throug July, the Center will offer a wide range of computer classes. On Wednesday, July 14, 7-9 pm, Microsoft Word XP is free. On Wednesday, July 21, 7-9 pm, Excel XP is $15.

EDITORS NETWORK MEETING in the Clairemont Community Room, 4731 Clairemont Dr., Clairemont, 858-451-3266. On Wednesday, July 21 at 6:30 pm, dictionaries, thesauri, style guides, grammar books and usage guides will be compared and discussed. Annabel Rogel, owner of Chrysalis Editorial Services, will host an informal “show and tell.” Free.

BANKRUPTCY SEMINAR at the San Diego Central Public Library, 820 E. St., Downtown, 619-236-5800. On Wednesday, July 21 at 6 pm, local attorney Mark L. Miller will cover the definition of bankruptcy, who should apply and when and other related information.

SUMMER ART CLASSES at the Rancho Santa Fe Library, 17040 Avenida de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858-756-2512. On Wednesdays at 10:30 am throug July 21, local artists will teac classes in different art techniques. Pre-registration is required.

ART WORKSHOPS at Art College International, 840 G St., Downtown, 619-231-3900. Throug August, classes meet Monday to Friday, 10 am-4 pm, for week- long sessions. Call for more information.

HPV & HSV SUPPORT GROUP at the UCSD Hospital Adminitrative Conference Room, 200 W. Arbor Dr., Hillcrest, 619-491-1194. On the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of eac mont at 7:30 pm, meet wit others for support and discussion. (www.SanDiegoCityHELP.org)

WINE TASTING at Galoka, 5662 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla, 858-551-8610. Every Thursday, wine and appetizers are $20.

Volunteer Opportunities

BLOOD DRIVE presented by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at all San Diego locations. Throug July 16, the San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobiles will visit eac location to help secure critical blood donations. In return, donors will be given a free summer Ice Blended of choice. On Wednesday, July 14: 5657 Balboa Ave., Kearney Mesa/Clairemont (10 am-3 pm).