FEATURED EVENTS
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
Through, Monday, Nov. 21
San Diego County volunteers have 14 sites around town serving as drop-off locations for this large holiday project. Residents are invited to fill an empty shoebox with toys, school supplies and hygiene items; the boxes will be delivered around the world by Samaritan’s Purse. The project coordinators have a goal of collecting 45,000 shoebox gifts in San Diego. Locations in and near Uptown include North Park Community Church (3702 29th St.), Balboa Community Church (6555 Balboa Ave., Clairemont), First Baptist Church of Lemon Grove (2910 Main St.) and more. Visit samaritanspurse.org for more locations
Book sale
Saturday, Nov. 19
The Friends of the Mission Hills Branch Library will host a book sale from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Attendees can stock up on books and support the library. Visit library92103.org and facebook.com/mhlibrary for more info.
‘If your heart stops, what happens next?’
Sunday, Nov. 20
This event sponsored by The Hemlock Society of San Diego will feature Dr. Jim Dunford, the city of San Diego’s Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services and professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at UCSD Medical Center. Dr. Dunford will discuss Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) orders along with when to call 911 and what DNR jewelry is. This free lecture will be held from 1:30–3 p.m. followed by “Hemlock Chat” from 3–3:45 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Event Center (1895 Camino del Rio South, Mission Valley). Visit hemlocksocietysandiego.org.
38th annual Chargers Drive
Tuesday, Nov. 22
This annual blood drive is one of the longest-running events by The San Diego Blood Bank and is presented by San Diego County Credit Union. In addition to collecting blood donations all day, the event presents a chance to meet San Diego Chargers players, enjoy entertainment, visit the “Wellness Zone,” and more. The event will be held at the Town & Country Convention Center (500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley) from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Tickets are $5; blood donors may request a refund after they donate and will also receive a T-shirt, parking validation and VIP wristband for the autograph line. Visit bit.ly/2fa7T2p for more information.
‘A Place to Call Home’
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Art of Elan’s 10th anniversary season continues with this event featuring a special Thanksgiving concert called “Defining Place” focused on place and origins. The event is linked to the exhibition “Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture” which opened on Nov. 5. Tickets are available for this single concert or as a package with additional concerts included. Visit sdmart.org for more information.
San Diego Contra Dance annual Thanksgiving potluck
Saturday, Nov. 26
San Diego Contra Dance is an offshoot of San Diego Folk Heritage – a nonprofit made up of volunteers dedicated to preserving and promoting the folk arts. Their dances are held each week on various Friday and Saturdays and feature live music, a dance caller and more. This edition will start with their annual Thankgiving potluck. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. The dance will follow with a beginner’s session at 7 p.m. No admission fee. Visit sandiegocontra.org.
Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll
Saturday, Nov. 26
Attendees of the annual Spirit Stroll can enjoy holiday-themed cocktail tastes in 14 participating retail locations along Adams Avenue from 2–4 p.m. The event is held on National Small Business Saturday and encourages guests to get a head start on holiday shopping as they ship and stroll. Tickets are $24. Participating locations include (with cocktails served by): Heights Optometry (Jayne’s Gastropub), Cal Coast Bicycles (Et Voila French Bistro), La Loupe (Blind Lady Ale House), Adams Avenue Bookstore (Dimille’s Italian Restaurant) and many more. Visit adamsavenuebusiness.com for information and tickets.
Whitehorse at Soda Bar
Wednesday, Nov. 30
This husband-wife duo have released several albums and EPs together featuring their infectious harmonies. In the past, Whitehorse leaned towards folk and southwestern rock, but their latest release is a unique project featuring modern versions of blues-rock songs from the 1950s and ’60s. The two craft a large sound when performing live, due in part to their use of layers of live looping. The intimacy of Soda Bar (3615 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights) is an ideal way to see such a dynamic act. Visit sodabarmusic.com for tickets ($10).
RECURRING EVENTS
Select dates:
Cinema Under the Stars: Films presented at an outdoor viewing space on various nights of the week. Upcoming films:
- “A Bigger Splash” Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19
- “War Dogs” Friday Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26
- “Sleepless in Seattle” Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
Films start at 8 p.m. $15. 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. For more info, visit topspresents.com or call 619-295-4221.
Mondays:
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 (except November and December). 3900 Vermont Ave., Hillcrest. Uptowndemocrats.org.
Wednesdays:
Ikebana International meeting: 10 a.m. in the Casa Del Prado, Room #101. The San Diego chapter of this Japanese floral arrangement organization meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Email Yuko Burkett with questions at [email protected].
Storytellers of San Diego: 7–8:45 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month, storytelling without notes for ages 12 and up at Rebecca’s Coffee House, 3015 Juniper St., South Park. Rebeccascoffeehouse.com.
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
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 Thursday Market: 3–7 p.m., at 3000 North Park Way, between 30th Street and Granada Avenue, North Park, free. Northparkfarmersmarket.com.
Kornflower’s Open Mic: Signups at 6:30 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.
Courage to Change – Al-Anon meetings: 7:15–8:15 p.m., a weekly meeting for friends and relatives of alcoholics at Christ United Presbyterian Church (in the chapel), 3025 Fir St., South Park.
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: 8:30 p.m., chant and sing ancient and contemporary mantras celebrating love and life at Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, 3301 Adams Ave., Normal Heights, free – donations welcome. Pilgrimageyoga.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.
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.
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
Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., under the Hillcrest Pride Flag, Harvey Milk and Normal streets, free. Hillcrestfarmersmarket.com.
West African dance class: 5:30–7 p.m., Master dancer Djibril Camara from Guinea teaches these classes that are also a great workout for all ages and skill levels at La Vie Dance Studio, 325 W. Washington, Hillcrest. Lavie.dance.
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: bit.ly/2esLpLR.
—Email calendar items to [email protected].
