Featured events

‘Make It Yourself’
Saturdays, starting March 12

A weekly drop-in community art class is starting today at Art Produce (3139 University Ave., North Park). All ages are welcome to experiment with a variety of media including sculpture, painting, drawing, weaving, clay and more. The classes will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. and feature professional artists and educators holding various workshops. $5 suggested donation. Visit artproduce.org.

Upcoming events at Mission Hills Branch Library
Various dates

Kids can improve literacy skills by reading aloud to therapy dogs at sessions on Saturday, March 12 and Saturday, March 26 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. (Note: “Read to Therapy Dogs” sessions are held the second and fourth Saturday of each month). Little ones can also enjoy familiar children’s songs performed by Cowboy Bob on Friday, March 18 at 10:30 a.m. They will also get to experiment with instruments. The library will have a book sale held by Friends of the Mission Hills Branch Library on Saturday, March 19 from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. For the grownups: the “Mystery Book Group” will meet on Wednesday, March 23 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. New members are welcome; books are available at the circulation desk while supplies last. Read the book before the meeting! Mission Hills Branch Library is located at 925 West Washington St. Visit facebook.com/mhlibrary for more information.

‘Raise Your Glasses’
Tuesday, March 15

Urban Optiks Optometry will host their second annual fundraising vendor trunk show at Martinis Above Fourth (3940 Fourth Ave., Hillcrest). Over 15 vendors will showcase frames to view, try on and purchase. The event will include tray-passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, giveaways, a silent auction and live entertainment. The beneficiary for this event is Optometry Cares –  a nonprofit organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to low-income Americans as well as performs free comprehensive vision assessments for infants. $10 suggested donation at the door. The fundraiser will be held from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Visit uoosd.com/raise to RSVP.

Mission Hills 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, March 19

This family friendly run/walk will start at 8 a.m. and starts and ends at Grant 5 – 8 School (1425 Washington Place). The route will take participants through scenic and historic sections of Mission Hills. This is a timed race with prizes in select categories. All proceeds from the race will benefit STEAM programs at Grant. Registration is $35 for adults and $25 for children. Visit missionhills5k.com for more information and to register yourself, family or team.

‘Whales: Giants of the Deep’ exhibit opening
Saturday, March 19

This interactive exhibit will arrive at the San Diego Natural History Museum (1788 El Prado, Balboa Park) today and continue through Monday, Sept 5. It will include life-size and scale models of whales, a life-size replica of the heart of a blue whale – which can be crawled through, and more. Visitors will also see ancient and contemporary artwork from the South Pacific inspired by whales, hear whale sounds and learn about their meanings, plus watch videos of these majestic creatures. The museum is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Visit sdnhm.org for tickets and details.

Live music: Yuck, Big Thief and Junk
Wednesday, March 23

Soda Bar (3615 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights) will host this night of indie-rock featuring headliners Yuck. The London-based band has garnered praise stateside for their garage-pop-rock style. Their latest album “Stranger Things” features a collection of raw and bold tunes laced with catchy hooks. Tickets are $12 in advance; $14 at the door. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Visit sodabarmusic.com for tickets and facebook.com/yuckband for more on the band.

‘Toasted’
Thursday, March 24

This wedding event is geared towards “indie-minded couples” who are planning personalized and unique nuptials. The vendors will include independent artisans with hand-crafted and eco friendly goods. The party-like atmosphere for Toasted aims to put brides and grooms at ease and offer respite from traditional wedding planning. There will be food samples provided, bars for getting “toasted,” musical performances and more. These events are inclusive environments that welcome couples of all kinds who want to plan a celebration. The San Diego edition of “Toasted” will be held at Brick (2863 Historic Decatur Road, Liberty Station) from 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance; $18 at the door. Visit toastedweddingevent.com for more information.

Recurring events

Select dates:

Canyoneers guided nature walks: These free walks are part of a countywide program by the San Diego Natural History Museum through June 26, 2016. A map and schedule of walks can be found online at sdnhm.org.

Mondays: 

Singing Storytime: 1:30 p.m., learn what’s going on inside your baby’s mind, strengthen your bond and sing songs together at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

North Park Toastmasters meeting: 6:30 – 8 p.m., weekly meeting at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 3725 30th St., North Park. 8469. toastmastersclubs.org.

Open Mic Night: 7:30 p.m., the mic is open to you at Lestat’s Coffee House, 3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, free. Lestats.com.

Unsung Genius: 6:30 p.m., bi-weekly trivia hosted by Rafael Gaitan starting at 7 p.m.; $2 to play; cash, bar tab and other prizes. Karaoke to follow at 9 p.m. on the big stage at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.  

Tuesdays:

Curbside Bites: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., gathering of gourmet food trucks at 3030 Grape St., South Park. Curbsidebites.com.

Tasty Truck Tuesdays: 6 – 9 p.m., Smitty’s Service Station hosts several food trucks under their well-lit shade structure, 3442 Adams Ave., Normal Heights. Sdfoodtrucks.com.

Uptown Democratic Club: 6:30 p.m., Joyce Beers Community Center hosts these meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month. New members wanted. 1220 Vermont Ave., Hillcrest. Uptowndemocrats.org.

Open Mic Charlie’s: 7 – 9:30 p.m. (except the third Tuesday), open mic night at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

North Park Brewer’s Club: 8:30 p.m., monthly meeting of the club every second Tuesday of the month on the back patio at Thorn Street Brewery, 3176 Thorn St., North Park. Thornstreetbrew.com.

Wednesdays: 

Wednesday Night Experience: 7 – 8 p.m., uplifting and spiritually inspiring experiences for all, weekly at Universal Spirit Center, 3858 Front St., Hillcrest, love offering requested. Universalspiritcenter.org.

Storytelling: 7 – 8:45 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month featuring members of Storytellers of San Diego at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, Suggested $5 donation. Ages 12 and up. Storytellersofsandiego.org.

Thursdays: 

Uptown Sunrise Rotary Club meetings: 7 a.m., weekly meeting at Panera Bread, 1270 Cleveland Ave., Hillcrest. Sdurotary.org.

Gentle yoga for seniors: 2:30 – 4 p.m., presented by The Center and Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO) at The San Diego LGBT Center, 3909 Centre St., Hillcrest, free. Thecentersd.org.

North Park Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m., in the parking lot behind CVS at 32nd Street and University Avenue, North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.

Kornflower’s Open Mic: Signups at 7 p.m., open mic (no poetry or comedy) 7 – 10 p.m. Family-friendly event at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park, free. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.

Liberty Toastmasters Club: 7 p.m., at Saint Paul’s Community Care Center, 328 Maple St., Bankers Hill. Libertytoastmasters.org.

2016 San Diego Film Series: 7:30 p.m., every third Thursday view a film representative of Italian cinema at the Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, Balboa Park.Sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com.

Kirtan Musical Meditation: 8:15 p.m., chant and sing contemporary mantras celebrating love and life at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3287 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, donation requested. Pilgrimageyoga.com.

Cinema Under the Stars: 8:30 p.m., classic movie screenings at 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. Additional showings Friday – Sunday. Tickets start at $15. Topspresents.com.

Fridays:

Memory Café: 10 – 11 a.m., second and fourth Fridays. Gathering place for those with memory loss, caretakers and those worried about memory problems in the Common Room at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front St., Hillcrest. At-will donation. Memoryguides.org and Firstuusandiego.org.

Preschool Storytime: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

Square Dancing Classes: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., every Friday. No previous dance experience needed. Recital Hall, 2130 Pan American Plaza. $50 for 13 classes. 858-277-7499 or circulators.sdsda.org.

Saturdays 

Old Town Saturday Market: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., on Harney Street and San Diego Avenue, Old Town, free. Also held on Sundays. Oldtownsaturdaymarket.com.

Golden Hill Farmers Market: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., on B Street between 27th and 28th streets, Golden Hill, free. Sdmarketmanager.com.

Tai Chi Qigong: 10 a.m., all skill levels welcome in Balboa Park, Upas Street and Sixth Avenue, free. Call Chris at 619-504-1557.

Children’s Craft Time: 10:30 a.m., at Mission Hills Library, 925 Washington St., Mission Hills, free. Library92103.org.

Comedy Heights: 8 – 10 p.m., local comedians take the stage next to Twiggs Coffeehouse at 4590 Park Blvd., University Heights, free. Comedyheights.com.

Sundays

Free Pancake Breakfast: 8:30 – 9:45 a.m., every second Sunday this neighborhood breakfast precedes worship service and Sunday school at Normal Heights United Methodist Church, 4650 Mansfield St., Normal Heights. Email [email protected].

ASD Mornings: 9 a.m. – noon, every second Sunday members of the autism spectrum community are given chance to explore the museum in a quiet, less-crowded environment at the San Diego Natural History Museum, 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park. bit.ly/1TjvYkQ

Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.

Karaoke: 8 p.m., your chance to shine on the big stage at The Merrow, 1271 University Ave., Hillcrest. Themerrow.com.  

To view local community organization meeting information online, visit: sduptownnews.com/community-organization-meetings.

—Email calendar items to [email protected].