Community events in San Diego County: From Carlsbad Marathon to Harmony Health Festival

CARLSBAD

Carlsbad Marathon back

The 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is back Jan. 18. Races will start at The Shoppes at Carlsbad from 6:15 to 7:45 a.m. The 26.2-mile marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half-marathon will showcase the beachfront for 8 miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon. There will also be a Double-Down Challenge combining the half-marathon and 5K for a 16-mile run. The Finish Line Festival will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Shoppes at Carlsbad with festivities including live music, refreshments and a beer garden. The expo and packet pickup are from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Holiday Inn Carlsbad/San Diego, 2725 Palomar Airport Road. The Kids Marathon Mile, a fun 1-mile run/walk for kids, is Jan. 17 at Legoland California Resort. Visit inmotionevents.com/event/carlsbad-marathon.

Quilting enthusiasts share tips

The nonprofit El Camino Quilters Guild meets at 10 a.m. Jan. 13 at the Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane. The group will welcome new board members and review upcoming programs and workshops. A workshop, Bound to be Perfect, on binding quilts led by Jim McKim, is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Quilt in a Day shop in San Marcos. The workshop fee is $35 cash or check, $37 credit card. The guild donates hundreds of quilts and other handmade items to a variety of groups, including Rady Children’s Hospital, senior centers, hospitals, police and military groups. Visit elcaminoquilters.com.

Nature walk and talk

The Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation holds a docent-led nature walk at 10 a.m. Jan. 17, themed “Itch, Pain, or Poison.” The 90-minute walk will focus on the defenses plants and animals develop to keep safe from predators. This free, family walk is open to all ages. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Visit batiquitoslagoon.org.

DNA genealogy buffs gather

The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by the North San Diego Genealogical Society, will meet at 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Kelli Bergheimer will discuss, ”Understanding Your DNA Health Reports.” Admission is free; reservations are not necessary. To attend virtually, get the Zoom link at nsdcgs.org.

CHULA VISTA

Choir concert benefits homeless singing group

A choir concert by the Mesa College Seratones is at 3 p.m. Jan. 17 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 580 Hilltop Drive. The community choir sings folk, classical, jazz, hymns, gospel and sea shanties in languages from around the world. The concert is family friendly and open to the community. There is no admission fee; a freewill offering will be taken. The choir will donate its fee to the choir of the Voices of Our City (voicesofourcity.org) whose mission is to amplify the voices of homeless people through music and the arts. This gift is in honor of Jason Chase, former music director at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

ENCINITAS

‘Happy Tales’ reading program at animal shelter

Rancho Coastal Humane Society’s “Happy Tales” program allows children to read aloud to the dogs, cats and rabbits waiting to be adopted. The program is open to children 6 and older. Cost is $10 per child. Preregistration is required. Upcoming sessions include from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 and Jan. 18. Sessions are limited to six children, and each child must be supervised by a parent. Readers can bring their own books or borrow a book from the Rancho Coastal Humane Society Library. Preregister at rchumanesociety.org/youth-programs/happy-tales. To hold a special “Happy Tales” session for a small group, email education@sdpets.org.

Reduced pet adoption fees

Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers programs that reduce pet adoption fees for people who qualify. Here are some programs.

• Better with a Buddy – Adopt one cat, kitten or dog and get the second one (within a year) for $25. This program does not include puppies.
• Two Purr One – Adopt two kittens (within two weeks) and pay the adoption fee for only one of them.
• Seniors-For-Seniors – The $75 adoption fee will be paid by a RCHS benefactor for any senior person (60 years or older) adopting a senior pet (7 years or older)
• Pets for Patriots – Adoption fees waived for San Diego veterans. To qualify, apply online before visiting the shelter. Visit petsforpatriots.org/adopt-a-pet/how-it-works.

For more information, visit rchumanesociety.org.

ESCONDIDO

Furniture show opens Jan. 10

The Escondido Arts Partnership holds its 16th annual “WOOD: A Furniture Show.” This exhibit features handcrafted furniture and artworks in a variety of wood mediums crafted with traditional and contemporary techniques, curated by Brian and Nancy Murphy of Murphy’s Fine Woodworking. The exhibit runs Jan. 10 through Feb. 27. Visit escondidoarts.org.

Town Hall meeting

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation holds its second Community Town Hall at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Conference Center, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., for residents to share ideas and insights on how the center can best serve the community. The meeting will highlight the center’s history, who it serves today and its strategic plan. Admission to the meeting is free. Visit artcenter.org/event/town-hall-meeting.

Senior center seeks volunteers

The Senior Service Council of Escondido is looking for volunteer tech tutors, tax preparers and receptionists. Tech tutors help seniors with technology, including computers, laptops and smartphones during one-hour sessions at the council’s computer lab on a flexible schedule. Tax preparers for low-income seniors are needed from February to April; training will be provided. Receptionists work three hours per week answering phones, scheduling appointments and helping seniors. Call 760-480-0611, email info@sscescondido.org or visit escondido-senior-services.org.

FALLBROOK

Grammy Award-winning guitarist gives concert

The Fallbrook Music Society presents Grammy Award-winning guitarist William Coulter and celebrated violinist David Greenberg in a concert titled “Celtic Meets Classical” at 2 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Mission Theater, 231 N. Main Ave. The program includes soulful ballads to lively Celtic melodies, tangos and Bach. Tickets cost $20 in advance; $25 day of show; free for ages 18 and younger. Visit fallbrookmusicsociety.org.

LA JOLLA

Garden club discusses Lotusland Garden

The La Jolla Garden Club will host a presentation at 1 p.m. Jan. 20 on “Where Wonder, Beauty, and Mother Nature’s Imagination Grow Wild.” Stanya Owen will share stories about Madame Walska and her world-renowned Lotusland Garden in Montecito at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. Before joining the La Jolla Garden Club, Owen served as a board member and trustee of Lotusland. Visit lajollagardenclub.org.

Goodwill opens store in La Jolla

Goodwill San Diego holds a grand opening at 9 a.m. Jan. 21 at its new retail store in La Jolla, at 7849 Herschel Ave. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is at 8:30 a.m. The expanded location offers a wide selection of quality secondhand goods and supports Goodwill’s mission to provide free employment programs and services to the local community. There will be discounts, giveaways and a chance to win gift cards throughout the morning. Visit sdgoodwill.org.

OCEANSIDE

Free LIFE lectures at MiraCosta

LIFE, MiraCosta College’s Learning Is For Everyone group, hosts two free lectures starting at 1 p.m. Jan. 16 at MiraCosta’s Oceanside Campus in Administration Building 1000, 1 Barnard Drive. At 1 p.m., Kata Pierce-Morgan, a social justice activist, will give a presentation titled “From Feather Boas to Fighting Battles” about how “a good Catholic girl from Vista took a stand, fought back and spoke out.” Her story, “Stripper Energy: Fighting Back From the Fringes!” won an Emmy for KPBS arts reporter and podcast host Beth Accomando. At 2:30 p.m., Richard Willis, a blacksmith instructor, will give a talk on “Have Hammer, Will Blacksmith” about the tools of the trade and the history of the ancient craft. To join the meeting via Zoom, email life.miracosta@gmail.com. Visit miracosta.edu/life.

Veterans’ Writing Group meets

The Veterans’ Writing Group of San Diego County meets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Veterans Association of North County resource center, 1617 Mission Ave. The group encourages veterans and their families to share and preserve their stories through writing and helps veterans discover the therapeutic power of storytelling. The meeting can also be accessed via Zoom at bit.ly/vwgsdzoom. Visit veteranswritinggroup.org.

World Affairs group discusses global waste

The North County Chapter of the San Diego World Affairs Council will host Mehdi Sarram for a presentation at 10 a.m. Jan. 15 on “Global waste management and what is stopping the United States and other countries with nuclear power plants from developing nuclear waste repositories.” The meeting will be held at the Remington Club retirement community, 16916 Hierba Drive. The mission of the World Affairs Council is to foster global understanding and friendships in the local community and around the world. Visit northcountyworldaffairs.org.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Winter clothing donations sought

Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church sponsors a drive-thru outerwear collection from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 17 at 17010 Pomerado Road. Donations of new and gently used jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, pants and other warm clothing for men and women in all sizes will be distributed to local nonprofit shelters. Also, checks can be made out to San Diego Rescue Mission, New Day Urban Ministries, Interfaith Community Services or Veterans Village of San Diego. Visit rbcommunity.org.

Free art demonstration

The North County Society of Fine Arts holds a free art demonstration at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13 led by artist Anne Gaffey, who will demonstrate her process for creating small canvases with watercolor and acrylics. The demo will be at the Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive, with social time from 11:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the meeting until 12:30 p.m. and the demonstration until 2 p.m. Visit ncsfa.org.

SAN DIEGO

MLK 5K Run/Walk

The MLK 5K Run/Walk starts at 9 a.m. Jan. 18 at the corner of Harbor Drive and Ash Street (1492 Harbor Drive). The run, themed “A Healthy Community Thrives Together,” is one of the weekend events that celebrates the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The 5K run follows a scenic 3.1-mile course heading southbound on Harbor Drive and through the Embarcadero along the waterfront and back to the starting point. The 1 Mile Cruiser Walk/Run has the same start as the 5K and the course goes down Harbor Drive, Pacific Highway, crossing into Seaport Village and a loop return to the start; it is not timed. Visit sandiegoalphas.com/sdmlk5k.

San Diego MLK Parade

The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade starts at 11 a.m. Jan. 18 and goes on Harbor Drive South from Ash Street to Pacific Street. The parade features bands, floats, drill teams, colleges and universities, fraternities, sororities and churches along with peace and youth organizations. The parade is coordinated by the Zeta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., an African American fraternity. Visit sandiegoalphas.com/mlk-parade.

Harmony Health Festival

The Harmony Health Festival is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway. The event combines harmony, health and wellness with the celebration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and stresses the “importance of physical and mental well-being within the community while honoring the principles of unity, equality, and social justice championed by Dr. King.” The festival includes vendors and exhibitors with workshops and resources promoting a healthy lifestyle, such as health screenings, fitness demonstrations and healthy food. Visit sandiegoalphas.com/sdmlkfestival.

Wildfire safety topic of talk

The Mid-City Fire Safe Councils will hold a presentation on Wildfire Safety at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 6611 University Ave., Building E in the Rolando Room. Admission is free. Register at talmadgefiresafe@gmail.com.

Monster truck show at stadium

Monster Jam, where Monster trucks roar into Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, is set for Jan. 10-11 and Jan. 24-25. Highlights include massive 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks and world champion drivers performing stunts, such as standing on two wheels and flying through the air in competitions of speed and skill. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Retired teachers put on jazzy scholarship fundraiser

The California Retired Teachers Division 4 will put on a Jazzy Luncheon and Silent Auction from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Double Tree by Hilton, 1515 Hotel Circle South. The event raises money for the division’s Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to graduating seniors in the San Diego Unified School District. Highlights include a buffet and concert by the Mission Bay High School Preservationist Jazz Quartet along with an auction. Tickets are $25; $20 for CalRTA members. Reservations are due by Feb. 14 at calrta.div4.members@gmail.com.

A cappella group to give concert

The Yale Whiffenpoofs, a collegiate a cappella group, will give a concert at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at All Souls Episcopal Church, 1475 Catalina Blvd., as part of its winter tour. The group’s repertoire includes vocal jazz, folk, pop and Broadway music. The group has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. General admission is $32.69; students, $17; priority seating, $53.59. Visit whiffenpoofs.com.

Free SeaWorld admission for teachers

SeaWorld San Diego recognizes teachers with two special park admission programs: the Teacher Fun Card and the Preschool Fun Card. The Fun Card gives free admission to certified K–12 classroom teachers from Southern California (including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego) and Arizona through Dec. 31. To redeem the Teacher Fun Card, eligible teachers must be verified through ID.me, register online by Feb. 15 and visit the park by May 31. Visit seaworldsandiego.com/teacher. Also, for a limited time, the Preschool Fun Card is $25.99 for kids ages 3-5 living in San Diego and Orange counties. For details, visit seaworldsandiego.com/preschool.

Father Joe’s fundraiser benefits homeless kids

The Father Joe’s Villages Ladies Guild will put on its annual fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at The Dana on Mission Bay, 1710 Mission Bay Drive. The fundraiser supports the needs of more than 120 children living at Father Joe’s Villages. The event, themed “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme: A Celebration of American Folk Music,” includes an auction followed by a three-course lunch with entertainment. Cost is $70; includes free parking. RSVP by  Feb. 6 at blanex@aol.com.

Maritime Museum runs docent training

The nonprofit Maritime Museum of San Diego, which restores and runs historic landmark ships, including the Star of India, begins its next Docent Volunteer Training Program on Jan. 20. The museum features 500 years of seafaring history on display in its collection of historic sailing ships, steam-powered boats and a submarine. The museum offers self-guided tours, docent-guided group tours, tall ship public sails and charters, San Diego Bay history cruises, Naval history bay tours, educational programs, and a venue for private events. Training is conducted through a series of lectures, readings and walking tours over 11 weeks. Training sessions include lectures from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Advance sign-up is required at sdmaritime.org/docent-training.

SANTEE

Tree planting event

The city of Santee hosts a free, family-friendly event to learn about the environment and plant a tree alongside city staff and fellow community members from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive. The San Diego River Park Foundation will be hosting a concurrent event, Rollin With The River, from 9 to 11 a.m. where participants can explore the San Diego River Trail during this rolling tour while they learn about the flora and fauna in the area. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.

SOLANA  BEACH

Community dance classes start

The Sandpipers Square Dance Club runs square dance classes starting from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 15 at the La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The weekly Thursday evening classes teach basic square dancing with modern and traditional music. No experience is needed and a partner is not required. The first class is free, then $10 per session. Dress casually. Refreshments are not provided. Visit sandpiperssquaredanceclub.org.

If your nonprofit would like to submit an event listing or photos of events that have happened recently, please email linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com. Include the name of the group, date and time of event, address, cost and contact information for readers within the email text. Event listings should be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Photos should be sent as JPEGs. Include the names of those in the photos from left to right along with the photo credit and permission from the photographer to use the photo in The San Diego Union-Tribune.