Community events in San Diego County: From two-day coin show to celebration of historic road race

CARLSBAD

Lagoon talk focuses on preserving ecosystem

Batiquitos Lagoon hosts a presentation on “Preserving Ecosystems” at 10 a.m. Jan. 10 led by Tito Marchant, director of Conservation and Rewilding at WildCoast. Marchant will discuss the organization’s efforts to protect mangrove forests, gray whale lagoons, pristine islands, coral reefs, coastal wetlands, and open ocean ecosystems in Mexico and the U.S. This free, family event is aimed at adults and kids age 15 and older. Come early to get a seat. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Visit batiquitoslagoon.org.

Newcomers club holds coffee meeting

The Carlsbad Newcomers Club will hold its Coffee Meeting at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 7 at the Carlsbad Senior Center. Social time begins at 9:45 a.m. The speaker is Tarah Campbell, who will discuss the Trauma Intervention Program. TIP is a nonprofit that supports people during emergencies. All are welcome. Visit carlsbadnewcomers.wildapricot.org.

Religion and Politics in Genealogy topic of discussion

The North San Diego County Genealogical Society will meet 10 a.m. Jan. 13 at the City of Carlsbad Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave. Bill Gresham will discuss “Religion and Politics in Genealogy.” Free admission. Virtual attendance is also available by visiting nsdcgs.org.

CARMEL VALLEY

School holds innovation expo

The San Diego Jewish Academy will host a Middle & High School Expo on Jan. 11, spotlighting new learning opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. Courses include “Ideas to Products,” an introduction to business and entrepreneurship. One example of student innovation is a “Sip Smart” wearable device to help young people protect themselves in social settings against drugging and sexual assault. Competition opportunities include First Tech Challenge SDJA Robotics Team and Cadena Humanitarian Challenge. The festival-style event will showcase innovation, creativity, and the San Diego Jewish Academy experience. Registration and details are at sdja.com/admissions/schedule-a-tour.

CHULA VISTA

Seratones give concert

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 free-will offering will be taken. The choir will donate their fee to the choir of the Voices of Our City (www.voicesofourcity.org) whose mission is to amplify the voices of people impacted by homelessness through music and the arts. This gift is in honor of Jason Chase, former music director at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

EL CAJON

Art from Within exhibit opens

The Heritage of The Americas Museum will put on a new exhibit, “Art from Within: Meet the Artists Who Bring the Museum to Life,” from Jan. 6 to Feb. 1. The exhibit looks at “what happens when the people who care for history, culture, and collections become the artists themselves?” Art from Within shows some of the art created by the museum’s staff, ranging from painting and drawing to mixed media. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays at 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive. Visit www.HeritageOfTheAmericasMuseum.com.

ENCINITAS

Library concert features Chase Morrin

The Friends of the Encinitas Library presents a free concert featuring Chase Morrin from 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 4 at 540 Cornish Drive. Morrin, a pianist and composer, having released four original albums that are multicultural collaborations, written for ensembles such as the Louisville Orchestra and the self-created Music Alliance ensemble at Yellow Barn. Morrin is a professor at the Berklee Global Jazz Institute and New England Conservatory Preparatory School and has received numerous awards. Morrin looks for innovative approaches to musical collaboration, and advocates for social change through music. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. Visit www.encinitaslibfriends.org.

Veterinary Care Assistance Program for Seniors

The Veterinary Care Assistance Program for Seniors at Rancho Coastal Humane Society provides financial assistance, resources and support to senior pet parents, age 60 and older, facing economic hardship. Expenses include quality of life medical issues. Applicants must be on a fixed or limited income. Financial documentation and a written estimate and treatment plan from an accredited San Diego County veterinarian is required. Call 760-579-2426 or visit www.sdpets.org.

Pet Food Bank open Saturdays

Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank at Rancho Coastal Humane Society is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at 389 Requeza St. The food bank provides food and other supplies for the pets of senior citizens, low-income families, people with disabilities or terminal illnesses, veterans, and homeless community members. For information on donating, call 760-753-6413 or visit www.sdpets.org.

ESCONDIDO

Tech Tutors sought to help seniors

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 SSCE computer lab on a flexible schedule. Tax preparers for low-income seniors are needed from February to April; training 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.

Free income tax prep for seniors

The Senior Service Council of Escondido offers free income tax preparation for simple 1040 and 540 tax returns prepared and filed by IRS-trained volunteers from 9 a.m. to 3  p.m. Mondays to Fridays from Feb. 1 to April 15 at 728 N. Broadway. Make an appointment at 760-480-0611 or www.supersaas.com/schedule/SSCE_tax_prep/SSCE_tax_appt.

FALLBROOK

Grammy Award-winning guitarist gives concert

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 presents soulful ballads to lively Celtic melodies, tangos and Bach. Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 day of show; free for ages 18 and younger. Visit  www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.

LEMON GROVE

NORTH COUNTY

Widows and widowers group holds social events

The Catholic Widows and Widowers of North County, a group that fosters friendships through various social activities, will hold these events.

Jan. 8: Walk, Lake Calavera Trail, Carlsbad then meal at Teri Café, Oceanside.

Jan. 14: Walk, Oceanside Harbor then meal at Dominic’s Italian Restaurant.

Jan. 19: Dinner, Mama Cella’s in Rancho Bernardo.

Jan. 25: Mass, St John the Evangelist Church, Encinitas then meal at The Original Pancake House, Encinitas.

Jan. 29: Happy Hour, The Yard House, Carlsbad.

Reservations are required 818-665-8150. Visit www.cwwnc.com.

OCEANSIDE

Veterans’ Writing Group meets

The Veterans’ Writing Group 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 helps veterans and their families share and preserve their stories through writing. The group helps veterans discover the therapeutic power of storytelling. The meeting can also be accessed via Zoom at bit.ly/vwgsdzoom. Visit www.veteranswritinggroup.org.

Veterans advisory group meets

The Veterans Advisory Committee meets from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Veterans Association of North County resource center, 1617 Mission Ave. The speakers include Marine Corps veteran Chelsey Gray, founder and CEO of Spotlight Strategies, a business advisory and PR firm serving the defense technology and military community. Gray, a recipient of the Chesty Puller Award, is a Navy League board member and host of “Unhinged Success: Raw and Unfiltered,” and connects service members and families with education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Moura White, founder of Mobile Fiber Art, will discuss the benefits of working in fiber arts. Art Delgado, from the College of Instrument Technology, will discuss training and certification in heavy equipment, cranes and the trucking industry. Visit vanc.me.

Lifelong Learning group holds free lectures

The MiraCosta College Lifelong Learning group meets at 1 p.m. Jan. 9 at MiraCosta College’s Oceanside Campus in the Board Room of Administration Building 1000 and via Zoom. At 1 p.m., Grant Barrett, radio host of “A Way with Words,” will give a talk on Keeping Up With Slang and New Words and will explore the latest slang and new words, from teens and tech, money and media, politics and pets. At 2:30 p.m., Dr. Gene Ma, president and CEO of Tri-City Healthcare District and Tri-City Medical Center, will discuss the proposed affiliation between Tri-City and Sharp Healthcare to expand access to primary and specialty care and build a flagship medical campus here in North San Diego County. Visit www.miracosta.edu/life.

RANCHO BERNARDO

Historical significance of textiles topic of talk

The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society Speakers Series presents “The Historical Significance of Textiles and the Visions Museum of Textile Art (VMOTA)” at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 featuring volunteers from the museum. Admission is free. The event is at the Rancho Bernardo History Museum in the Bernardo Winery. Visit rbhistory.org.

Church holds Celebrate Recovery meetings

Celebrate Recovery is an anonymous group meeting for anyone who struggles with substance abuse, codependency, unhealthy relationships, over-involvement with things like unhealthy sexual habits, gambling, over-involvement with social media or technology, overcoming hurts from the past, or any other struggles. The new group is being formed at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Road, and will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays starting Jan. 8 in the Skylight Room. For questions, email Kevydakind@msn.com.

Free jazz concert at library

The Lori Bell Duo will perform a free jazz concert at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Rancho Bernardo Library second floor community room. The concert will feature flutist Lori Bell and guitarist Ron Satterfield. The program is called The American Jazz Story — Ellington, Miles Davis and the Global Roots of Jazz. The concert is part of the Friends of the RB Library’s 24th annual Chamber Concert series. Free admission; donations appreciated. Reservations are not required. Visit friendsoftherblibrary.org.

Culture critic and political pundit to give talk

The Rancho Bernardo Republican Women group hosts speaker Kira Davis, a culture critic and political pundit, at their luncheon meeting from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 16 at The Heights Country Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway. Davis, an author, continues her mission of critical thinking on her latest show, “Just Kira Davis.” RSVP by 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at rbrepublicanwomen.org.

SAN DIEGO

Event celebrates historical road race

The 2nd Annual San Diego Excursion, a celebration of the 1915 Exposition Road Race, starts at 7 a.m. Jan. 11 at the San Diego Automotive Museum, 2080 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park. The event, hosted by the La Jolla Horseless Carriage Club, brings together vintage automobile enthusiasts and the broader community for a tribute to one of San Diego’s significant early motorsport events, featuring unmodified pre-1942 vehicles, including vintage speedsters, driving the original race route through Point Loma. Public viewing of vehicles and a chance to meet drivers is from 7 to 9 p.m. when they depart to Point Loma. Participants will complete two laps of the historic 1915 race route beginning at 10:15 a.m., followed by a car show at Liberty Station from noon to 2 p.m. More than 130 unmodified vehicles from 1942 or earlier are expected to participate, with drivers dressed in period attire. Visit www.hcfi.org/sdexcursion.

Two-day coin show at Liberty Station

A two-day Coinarama coin show sponsored by the San Diego County Inter-Club Numismatic Council, which is made up of all the various coin clubs in the San Diego area, is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 24 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25 at Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. The event is expected to be one of the largest coin shows on the West Coast. Highlights include a “Coins for Kids” program to get young numismatists started coin collecting. There will be free coin appraisals. Dealers will be there to buy and sell coins. Admission is $5; free for kids 15 and younger (cash only); free for active-duty military with ID. Free parking. Visit www.coinarama.org.

Cross-partisan discussion group meets

Braver Angels San Diego holds a 2026 kickoff meeting and monthly civic discussion from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library, 9005 Aero Drive. The topic of discussion will be “America: Our People, Our Founding, and Our Future,” with a look at: What does America stand for? What does being American mean to you? Do political labels and stereotypes obscure shared hopes for our country’s future? The community is welcome to join a thoughtful, respectful discussion across differences. RSVP or get more information at San-Diego@braverangels.org.

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 their winter tour. The group’s repertoire includes vocal jazz, folk, pop and Broadway music. They have performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Visit www.whiffenpoofs.com.

SANTEE

Guided nature walk

City of Santee hosts a free guided nature walk for the community from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 along the Walker Preserve Trail. Participants will learn about the flora and fauna that make up the San Diego River ecosystem during the stroll along the river. Meet at the Santee Historical Society, 9200 Magnolia Ave. Visit www.cityofsanteeca.gov.

VISTA

Soroptimists host Trafficking Awareness Walk

Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland holds its 20th annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk for the community from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 at United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S. Melrose Drive. This year’s keynote speaker will be Vista Mayor John Franklin. There will be information tables from several nonprofits beginning at 8 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with introductions and speakers to start between 10 and 10:30 a.m. The walk will start shortly after, with participants walking down Melrose Drive, about 1 1/2 miles round-trip from the church. Stop Trafficking signs and water will be provided. The event is free to the public. Families and pets welcome. Online pre-registration is encouraged but not required at https://bit.ly/4rKCFUg.

Ranunculus and The Flower Fields topic of talk

“Ranunculus and The Flower Fields” will be the topic of a presentation at 1:45 p.m. Jan. 9 in the Azalea Room at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. The speaker is Jo Ellen Guthrie, author of “In a Garden by the Sea,” which describes how horticulturist Luther Gage helped create the flower fields in Carlsbad through hybridization. A fingertip lunch will be held at noon, followed by a business meeting at 12:30 p.m. and the program at 1:45 p.m. Email Vistagardenclub@gmail.com.

VISTA

Kids in the Garden class

A Kids in the Garden class on  Animal Homes and Garden Habitats is from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 at the Alta Vista Botanical Gardens. After the class, participants can walk around the Gardens with Farmer Jones and discover animal homes. Adults will stay with kids. Fee is $5 per person which includes entry and time to enjoy the Gardens until closing at 4:30 p.m. Free admission with family membership. Preregistration required by noon Jan. 9 at farmerjonesavbg@gmail.com.

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.