“A way with words” authors to speak at Twainfest

Charles Harrington Elster, author of “Verbal Advantage: 10 Steps to a Powerful Vocabulary” and creator of the National Public Radio show, “A Way with Words,” will be performing at Old Town San Diego’s TwainFest for the second year in a row on Aug. 20.

Elster will be signing books as well as speaking at 11:30 a.m. in the Whaley House courtroom and at 4 p.m. in the Seeley Stable Theatre. In Honor of Mark Twain’s passing 101 years ago, Elster will be delivering a special talk about Twain in addition to appearing at several of the other venues throughout the park,

For more information, visit parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.

SDHS celebrates 25th annual Fur Ball
The San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) will host the 25th annual Fur Ball on Aug. 20 from 6 to midnight at the San Diego Humane Society Gaines Campus, 5500 Gaines St. This year’s ball, themed “Dancing with the Dogs,” will be raising money to help fund the SDHS’ animal programs and services.

This year’s event will also honor the PETCO Foundation for its support of the SDHS and nationwide animal welfare. The Platinum and Blue Ribbon VIP tickets are already sold out, but Red Ribbon tickets for $175 per person and $1,750 per table of 10 are for sale. The event will be emceed by 105.7 “The Walrus” DJ Dave Mason, and will include a cocktail reception, activities for leashed dog guests, a live and silent auction with prizes from Wine for Humanity, the Westin Gaslamp and more and a three-course dinner prepared by Pamplemousse Grille owner and executive chef Jeffrey Strauss.

For more information, call 243-3479, e-mail [email protected] or visit sdhumane.org.

San Diego artisans exhibit
Open Door Books at 4761 Cass St. in Pacific Beach is holding a San Diego Artisans Exhibit on Aug. 21 from to noon to 3 p.m.

The event will showcase three local artisans with original, unique photographs from photographer Lisa Salus, jewelry from jewelry designer Sari Graham and third world fair trade creations from The-Purpose Shop’s Lee Quinn. There will also be free parking, refreshments, snacks and music by local musicians.

For more information, visit opendoorbks.com or call (858) 270-8642.

Hundreds attend memorial service for slain SDPD officer
Hundreds of friends, family members and colleagues attended a memorial service on Aug. 12 for slain 36-year-old San Diego police officer and City Heights resident Jeremy Henwood, who was shot in the head on Aug. 6 in an unprovoked attack.

Members of the San Diego Police Department killed Henwood’s assailant, Dejon Marquee White, 23, within minutes of the shooting. Police say White, who did not have a history of mental illness, left behind a two-page suicide note.

Henwood was an ex-marine and four-year veteran of the police department. He is survived by his parents, Robbie and Betty Lou and two younger siblings, Robbie and Emily.

Women’s suffrage parade to be held in Balboa Park
In honor of the anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in 1911, the Women’s Museum of California is organizing a parade on Aug. 25 to begin at the Kate Sessions statue on the Sixth Avenue side of Balboa Park and ending at the Spreckles Organ Pavilion.

Participants are encouraged to dress in period costumes, to join the Women’s Museum members for the organ pavilion concert and picnic after the parade.

For more information, visit womensmuseumca.org.