BONITA
Genealogy buffs meet
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society education meeting is from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb.17 in the Bonita Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Road. The speaker is Mark Olsen, from Family Tree Maker, family history software. Bring laptop or tablet. Free advance registration required at chulavistagenealogysociety.wildapricot.org.
CARLSBAD
Program on senior fraud
The American Association of University Women-Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista Branch will host a program on Senior Fraud at its general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at the Harding Community Center, 3096 Harding St. Visit cov-ca.aauw.net or call 760-505-0384.
DNA genealogy topic of talk
The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by North San Diego County Genealogical Society, meets at 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive. Ron Velarde, the group’s president, will discuss, “Who, What, Where, How, and Why: Using Y DNA.” Free, registration necessary only if attending online. For Zoom link, email dig@nsdcgs.org.
Solutions for Change CEO and human rights activist speak
Carlsbad Republican Women hosts Aaron Byzak, interim CEO of Solutions for Change, and Sophia Fang, human rights activist, at its luncheon meeting Feb. 24 at the Holiday Inn, 2725 Palomar Airport Road. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the program begins at 11 a.m. Cost is $49: $44 for members. Advance registration required by 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at CarlsbadRepublicans.com.
Birds of Winter nature walk
A free, 90-min. docent-led nature walk on “The Birds of Winter, is at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 for all ages at the Batiquitos Lagoon. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Bring binoculars or borrow from the center. Visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.
CHULA VISTA
Community pet vaccine clinic
The City of Chula Vista Animal Services will host a free pet vaccine clinic for area residents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed from 12 to 1 p.m.) Feb. 18 at the Chula Vista Animal Services Facility, 130 Beyer Way. Rabies, DAPP and FVRCP vaccines will be provided free, while supplies last to residents of Chula Vista, National City and Lemon Grove with proof of residency, such as a recent utility bill. Visit chulavistaca.gov/animal-care.
EL CAJON
Art display uplifts women with HIV
Townspeople will host its fourth annual community art installation, From the HeART, to uplift women living with HIV in the San Diego area. The public exhibit features dozens of handmade hearts on display March 3-31 in the windows of the Townspeople office on El Cajon Boulevard. The project reflects Townspeople’s mission to prevent homelessness and support medically vulnerable community members. The community can contribute handmade hearts filled with positive messages, artwork and poetry and drop them off or mail them by Feb. 23 to Townspeople, 2047 El Cajon Blvd. Visit townspeople.org.
‘Casino Royale’ fundraiser
The 2nd Annual “Casino Royale” gaming night hosted by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Courtyard by Marriott El Cajon, 141 N. Magnolia. Entertainment will be led by gaming company Casino Knights and there will be a full Italian dinner prepared by Chef Sergio Bellofatto of Little Roma Italian restaurant and desserts by Edible Arrangements of La Mesa along with silent auction and games such as black jack, craps and roulette. Tickets are $75; deadline to order is Feb. 20. Open to ages 21 and older. No tickets at the door. Visit lamesachamber.com.
ENCINITAS
Lifestyle Expo for seniors
The Encinitas Chamber of Commerce holds its Senior Lifestyle Expo, “Live Boldly. Live Well,” from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 21 at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The free community event, presented with the City of Encinitas, will offer older adults resources, and inspiration for heathy lifestyles. Visit encinitaschamber.com/senior-expo.
FALLBROOK
Music Society puts on concert
The Fallbrook Music Society hosts a concert at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 featuring Lindsay Deutsch, violinist from TAKE3, with pianist Jason Stoll. The show includes favorites from Billy Joel, John Williams and The Beatles, among others. Tickets are $20; $25 day of show; free for ages 18 and younger. The event is at Mission Theater, 231 N. Main Ave. For tickets visit fallbrookmusicsociety.org.
NORTH COUNTY
Republican group hosts Turning Point USA speaker
The North County Republican Women hosts a presentation by Sasha Reva, a field representative with Turning Point USA, at its meeting 10 a.m. Feb. 18 at LaValle Coastal Club, 5690 Cancha de Golf in Rancho Santa Fe. Doors open at 9:15 a.m. Cost is $30; $25 of members. RSVP by Feb. 16 at ncrwsd.org.
OCEANSIDE
‘Oceanside, Near & Far’ series
The Oceanside Public Library continues its free series of family friendly cultural arts workshops and events, “Oceanside, Near & Far,” celebrating local Japanese, Mexican and Samoan communities:
Polynesian Lei-Making Workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at John Landes Community Center Library.
Danza Azteca Workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 2 at John Landes Community Center Library.
Community Celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. March 14 at the Civic Center Library Courtyard.
Open to ages 12 and older. Registration required at oceansidepubliclibrary.com.
Print-making exhibit opens
The Oceanside Museum of Art will put on an exhibit on the evolution of print making, Matrix Multiplied: Hybrid Approaches to Printmaking, from Feb. 21 through Aug. 2, curated by Danielle Deery. The exhibit will include several matrices, the plates that hold the image to be printed, to show the hand-crafted processes behind each work. An Exhibition Celebration is from 5 to 7 p.m. May 2. Visit oma-online.org.
Oceanside film festival kicks off with Surf Night
The annual Oceanside International Film Festival runs Feb. 25-28 at The Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Highway. The festival kicks off with a Surf Night celebration Feb. 21, starting at noon at The Brooks Theater, 217 N Coast Highway, featuring surf filmmaking from around the world. The five-day festival continues with Red Carpet Opening Night on Feb. 25, and features independent cinema, including local and international films, with themes ranging from surf culture to environment and community. Visit osidefilm.org/oiff2026-surf-night.
Art Collective holds writing workshop
Oceanside Art Collective will offer a workshop called “Let’s Write! Writing for Pleasure or Profit” for adults age 18 and older from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at 427 S. Coast Highway. Local author and instructor Andrea Glass will discuss writing blogs, essays and articles and will present prompts for short writing projects with feedback. Fee is $40. Registration required at oceansideartcollective.com.
POINT LOMA
Parkinson’s support group holds meet & greet
The Point Loma Parkinson’s Support Group will hold its monthly meeting from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 24 at Point Loma Café, 4865 N. Harbor Drive for a “Meet, Greet and Eat” event. No host brunch, open discussion and breakout sessions. Reservations required at 619-560-1935 or doloresviolacohenour@gmail.com.
POWAY
POWAY: Volunteers bring several hundred teddy bears to patients for Gift of Love Day… The Poway Interfaith Team partnered with Palomar Health Hospitals in Escondido, and Poway along with the Rehabilitation Institute and the Poway Hospital Villas to put on the third annual “Gift of Love Day.” Volunteers from the Poway Interfaith Team, hospital staff and chaplains delivered several hundred teddy bears and other soft stuffed animals to patients of all ages. The stuffed animals were donated by community members, hospital personnel, Pastor John Quinata of Father’s Grace Ministries and the Poway Interfaith Team. Pictured are some of the volunteers with Frank Satranek, volunteer coordinator, second from right. The Poway Interfaith Team also recently held its annual Interfaith Harmony Breakfast, themed “Quilt of Many Colors – Different People, One Community.”(Courtesy of Poway Interfaith Team.)
RAMONA
Issa and Jones representatives to speak
The Republican Women of California-Intermountain group will host guest speakers Juliette Castner from Sen. Brian Jones’ office and Alan Pelicani from Congressman Darrell Issa‘s office at a luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18 at the San Vicente Resort-Banquet Room. Meet and greet starts at 11 a.m. Cost is $30; Reserve at 951-775-3121.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Choir concert features opera to pop
A choir concert featuring a variety of musical styles from opera and musical theater to pop will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 in the fellowship hall at the Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias. Freewill offerings will go toward scholarships for an upcoming choir tour to Spain. Visit villagechurch.org/choir-tour-benefit-concert.
Community Ash Wednesday service
A traditional service of repentance and renewal at the outset of the Lenten season will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 with music, prayer and the ritual of imposition of ashes at the Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias. Visit villagechurch.org/visit/special-events/ash-wednesday.
SAN DIEGO
Family Fun Fest
San Diego Family Magazine will put on San Diego’s Best Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Corner Zone, 6845 University Ave. The free event includes activity stations for kids, such as inflatable obstacle course, zipline, bounce house and themed crafts. There will also be information about community resources for families. Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance at eventbrite.com/e/san-diego-family-fun-fest-tickets-1976621198213.
Black history month author spotlight
The San Diego Public Library and University of San Diego Copley Library host Natalie Baszile for this year’s Black History Month Author spotlight at 5 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. There will be a discussion of Baszile’s latest book, “We Are Each Other’s Harvest: Celebrating African American Farmers, Land, and Legacy.” The event will also include a resource fair, Q&A session, book signing and a free copy of one of Baszile’s books for attendees who arrive early, while supplies last. Visit sandiego.gov/public-library/central-library.
Lunar New Year event
The San Diego Tết (arrival of spring) Festival Card Show is from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 21-22 at Liberty Station’s Naval Training Center Park, 2455 Cushing Road. The card show brings together collectors, vendors, families, and fans for a “celebration of trading cards, culture and community” as part of Lunar New Year festivities. Admission is free. Visit cardsandcollectors.com/events.
Master of floral art to give demonstration
The Village Garden Club of La Jolla hosts Meet the Masters, a presentation, floral demonstration and luncheon led by Lewis Miller, a master of floral artistry, at 10 a.m. March 12 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Miller, founder of New York-based Lewis Miller Design, creates floral events for Tiffany, Chanel and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others, and is known for Flower Flash pop-up floral installations. Tickets are $200. Floral arrangements made by Miller at the event will be auctioned off; proceeds benefit the garden club’s service projects, including Schoolyard Garden Grants and Bouquet of Thanks for Veterans. Visit vgclj.com.
Dessert and Wine Social benefits POZabilities
A Sweet Affair Dessert and Wine Social with silent auction is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Recital Hall in Balboa Park, 2130 Pan American W. Road. The event features tastings of a variety of desserts and wine or champagne tastings along with music and a silent auction of more than 70 items from hotel stays to art. The event benefits nonprofit POZabilities, a resource for the HIV+ community. Tickets start at $45; use codeword “UT” for $5 off advance tickets. VIP entry begins at 6 p.m. Visit givebutter.com/ASweetAffair.
San Diego Half Marathon next month
The 15th GOVX San Diego Half Marathon & 5K starts at 6:30 a.m. on March 22 and is expected to draw roughly 6,000 runners from across the country and around the world. The run is along five miles of waterfront through four historic communities, and three parks along with two miles through downtown San Diego, ending at the Gaslamp Quarter. A virtual version of the 13.1-mile half-marathon and 3.1-mile 5K will be offered. Registration is $67.80 -$169.50. Visit inmotionevents.com/event/san-diego-half-marathon-5k.
Black History Month film screening
The Foundation for Women Warriors hosts a free virtual screening of the “Six Triple Eight” documentary at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 in honor of Black History Month. The historical film is about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, an all-Black, all-female battalion that was deployed to Europe during WWII. By the end of the war, despite facing racism and sexism, the Six Triple Eight had cleared over 17 million items of backlogged mail, helping troops stay in contact with loved ones back home. Register for the free event at secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/UQEfUdkSn1I9FglgZL1oig.
SeaWorld puts on food festival
SeaWorld San Diego’s Seven Seas Food Festival runs Fridays through Sundays starting Feb. 27 to April 26 featuring more than 150 globally-inspired foods and beverages curated by Executive Chef Zuric Ramirez. The festival includes six stages with cultural entertainment throughout the park along with live performances by chart-topping artists such as Fitz and the Tantrums, The Band Perry and Walker Hayes. Festival is included with park admission. Visit seaworld.com/san-diego/events/seven-seas-food-festival.
Guided Bird Walk
A Guided Bird Walk hosted by Mission Trails Regional Park is from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at the Kumeyaay Lake Campground, 2 Father Junipero Serra Trail, at Gate 9 and Kwaay Paay East. This bird walk is designed for beginning birdwatchers, but all skill levels are welcome. Meet in the Kumeyaay Lake Campground day use parking lot. Bring binoculars if you have them. Walks are canceled for rain. Visit mtrp.org/events.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
Rainwater harvesting classes, barrels offered
The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation and Think Blue San Diego (San Diego Stormwater Department) offer discounted rain barrels for residents to collect rainwater and reduce stormwater pollution. Rain barrels are $30 each for City of San Diego residents after the $75 discount, while supplies last. A free rainwater harvesting webinar for City of San Diego residents is from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 26 and in-person workshops are from 10 to 11 a.m. March 29 at Mountain View Community Center and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 19 at North Clairemont Recreation Center. Check eligibility at solanacenter.org/rain-barrels.
Mardi Gras party at Oasis
A Mardi Gras party themed “Let the Good Times Roll,” for community members to get a taste of upcoming programs, exercise classes and other activities at Oasis for older adults will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at San Diego Oasis, 17170 Bernardo Center Drive, Rancho Bernardo and at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa. The free event, known as the Catalog Pick Up Party, includes food, beverages and opportunity drawings along with a chance to pick up the spring catalogue of activities offered at San Diego Oasis, which helps seniors stay healthy and engaged in the community. Visit san-diego.oasisnet.org.
SANTEE
Book Crawl
The Library Friends of San Diego County Book Crawl continues from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 21 at Friends of the Santee library bookstore, 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd. Participants earn “passport stamps” with any purchase at participating East County Friends of the Library Bookstores. Prizes given while supplies last. Call 619-596-1525.
VISTA
Vista Civic Gallery features art exhibit
The Vista Civic Center Gallery hosts “55,” an art exhibit by local multimedia artist Kelly Clark, through Feb. 27. The exhibition features photographs and paintings created during Clark’s artist residency in Italy, alongside mixed-media works inspired by flora, fauna and abstraction. The gallery is on the second floor of the Vista Civic Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on alternate Fridays. Visit vista.gov/residents/public-art/civic-gallery.
Dementia Skills workshop and resource fair
A free Dementia Skills workshop and Resource Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 28 at the McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. The event provides resources, education, and hands-on training for people living with dementia, caregivers and families to improve support skills. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Visit vista.gov/residents/senior-services.
Community forum on detention center
A free forum on the Future of the Vista Detention Facility is from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Morris B. Vance Community Room, 200 Civic Center Drive. The meeting will discuss the future modernization of the Vista Detention Facility and will cover key facts, the planning process and how the community can share input before decisions are made. Visit sdsheriff.gov/community/the-future-of-north-county-detention-and-reentry-facility.
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.