Community Calendar
MLK Human Dignity Award Breakfast
Friday, Jan. 13
The 32nd Annual YMCA of San Diego County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award Breakfast will be held from 6 to 9 a.m. at the Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award is given each year to a person or persons who most exemplifies the work and character of its namesake Dr. King.
This year’s awardees are Jeffrey Harper-Harris and Dr. Richard Butcher (posthumously). The keynote speaker will be Robert K. Ross, M.D., president and chief executive officer of The California Endowment, a health foundation established in 1996 to address the health needs of Californians. Visit bit.ly/2i7whqS.
‘A Wild and Precious Life’ author speaks
Sunday, Jan. 15
Deborah Ziegler, author of “A Wild and Precious Life,” Death with Dignity advocate and mother of Brittany Maynard will speak at the Hemlock Society, 1:30-3 p.m. in the Scottish Rite Event Center, 1895 Camino del Rio South. Brittany Maynard’s death, using the law in Oregon, made California’s End of Life Option Act possible. Visit hemlocksocietysandiego.org.
San Diego Restaurant week
Sunday, Jan. 15-Sunday, Jan. 22
The 13th Annual San Diego Restaurant Week includes more than 180 restaurants offering prix-fixe menu options. This year San Diego Restaurant Week partners with local Girl Scouts to celebrate the arrival of Girl Scouting in San Diego 100 years ago, as well as the 100th anniversary of Girl Scout Cookies. To celebrate, chefs are getting creative with America’s favorite cookies with special offerings for Restaurant Week diners. For more information, visit sandiegorestaurantweek.com.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, Jan. 16
This is a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the famed civil rights activist who preached non-violent activism. All governmental agencies, banks and schools will be closed. City trash service will be delayed by one day. San Diego city and county transit systems will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
Lunar New Year Festival 2017
Friday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 22
Celebrate the Lunar New Year, Tet and the Year of the Rooster at Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Road. Lion dance troupes will be on-site throughout each day. Thirty-thousand zodiac charms will be given away while they last. Open Friday 5-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for kids; children ages 2 and under are admitted free. A free carnival ride is offered for each ticket purchased. Anyone born in a Year of the Rooster will be admitted for free. Free parking. Visit lunarnewyearfestival.org.
33rd, Annual SDSU Writers’ Conference
Friday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 22
The San Diego State University Writers’ Conference is for all writers, whether you’re a beginner or a published professional. Now in its 33rd year, this conference is designed to help every writer at every level. Learn how to improve writing skills, develop marketing awareness, and meet one-on-one with top editors and agents to facilitate the next step in your publishing career. The Keynote speaker will be best-selling author and five-time Bram Stoker Award-winner Jonathon Maberry. Includes speeches by best-selling authors, a hosted dinner Friday night, lunch and cocktail hour on Saturday, more than 40 workshops and Sunday morning Conference Choice Awards. Held at the San Diego Marriott Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive. Visit ces.sdsu.edu/wc.
Junior Achievement Casino Night
Friday, Jan. 27
Junior Achievement of San Diego will hold a Casino Night, 5-9 p.m. at 4756 Mission Gorge Place. Test your skill at blackjack, bingo, roulette, poker and more. With every game you win, you have a greater chance to win any of several gift packages. Tickets are $60 each and will include dinner and drinks; a chance to win prizes; play money, with more available for purchase. All attendees must be 21 and older. Visit bit.ly/2ianvU4.
YMCA Bike-a-Thon
Saturday, Jan. 28
Pedal into the seventh annual Bike-A-Thon, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Mission Valley YMCA, 5505 Friars Road. It’s a Las Vegas-themed event this year. Make a pledge or hop on a bike to pedal for a purpose. All of your favorite cycling instructors will be involved, so round up a team to ride for an hour or five. Includes prizes and giveaways. Ride alone or form a team. Visit bit.ly/2iaE7en.
Community Meetings
Mission Valley Community Plan Update Subcommittee
Friday, Jan. 13
The Mission Valley Community Plan Update Subcommittee will meet 3-4:30 p.m. in the Mission Valley Library Community Room. Those interested in the update process are encouraged to attend. Visit bit.ly/2i6ZRgi.
Linda Vista Town Council
Thursday, Jan. 19
District 7 City Councilmember Scott Sherman will be the featured speaker during the Linda Vista Town Council meeting at Baha’i Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive. Networking starts at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Visit lindavista.org.
Linda Vista Planning Group
Monday, Jan. 23
The Linda Vista Planning Group will hold its general meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Linda Vista Library, 2160 Ulric St. This is an open meeting and the public is encouraged to attend. Visit lindavista.org/lvpg.
Uptown Democratic Club meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Nisa Marks, San Diego County Democratic Party operations manager, and Jose Caballero, former City Council candidate, will address Uptown Democratic Club members on 2016 local election results and the San Diego Democratic Party’s plans for 2017. The meeting will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Joyce Beers Community Center, located in The Hub shopping center in Hillcrest. Meetings are free to attend and open to the public. Annual membership dues are $20. Visit Uptowndemocrats.org or contact club president John Hartley at [email protected].
