Birch Aquarium’s ‘Oddities: Hidden Heroes of the Scripps Collections’
Oddities is created in partnership with the team from the Scripps Oceanographic Collections, where millions of specimens allow scientists to understand some of the amazing adaptations marine creatures have developed to survive. From super vision and invisibility to protective armor and the ability to create electricity to zap prey, real marine creatures do amazing things every day that stretch even the wildest imagination. The interactive exhibit will include examples of some of the unique creatures from all depths and highlight how they have inspired everything from cinema and pop culture to medicine and engineering. Guests will learn what it takes to collect scientific samples and have the opportunity to test out some of these unique adaptations through creature cosplay. Oddities opens June 29 and will be on display through Spring 2019. The exhibit replaces the Mexican Seas and Feeling the Heat exhibits. Oddities is included in aquarium admission, which is $18.50 for adults and $14 for children. Annual memberships are also available. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu for more.
Teen leaders host activism conference on May 6
Drawing inspiration from waves of student-led activism and protests across the nation, Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) will host a free event designed to encourage local youths to take action through lobbying and advocacy. Your Voice: An Activism Conference for Teens Who Want to Change the World, will take place on Sunday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Farmer and the Seahorse in La Jolla. Teens of all backgrounds and faiths are invited to learn about the process of lobbying and engage with issues related to education, environment and climate change, gender equality, and hunger and food insecurity.
Keynote speakers Rep. Susan A. Davis and council president pro- tem Barbara Bry, will talk to teens about the challenges of growing up in today’s world and explain how young people can use their voices to make a difference. The day’s activities will include mentor-led mock-lobbying sessions, hands-on service projects and networking opportunities. Attendees will also have the chance to speak with representatives for Rep. Scott Peters, assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher and Shirley Weber, as well as Councilmember Myrtle Cole.
Food & Wine Festival, Kentucky Derby celebration
Get your seersucker suits and big hats ready. On Saturday, May 5, the Junior League of San Diego will welcome 1,200 guests to its 18th annual Food & Wine Festival, taking place from noon until 5 p.m. at Ellen Scripps Browning Park above the picturesque La Jolla Cove. This must-attend annual event offers attendees the ultimate culinary experience with tastes and sips from local restaurant and beverage purveyors, as well as live music and a festival party with a televised viewing of the 144th Kentucky Derby.
The festival experience will feature more than 50 of San Diego’s finest vendors, including We Olive, Viewpoint Brewing, Truluck’s Seafood, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Quady Winery, True Food Kitchen, Fallbrook Winery, Farmer & the Seahorse, La Valencia, and many more.
San Diego Cetacean Society educational event
On May 9, at p.m. The San Diego Chapter of the American Cetacean Society is pleased to have Tom Norris, founder, resident, and chief scientist of Bio-Waves, Inc., present on “Acoustic Methods for Research and Monitoring of Cetaceans.”
Norris will talk about some of the passive acoustic methods and technologies that his company has developed and uses to research, monitor, and conduct mitigation of human activities on marine mammals. The presentation will be held at Sumner Auditorium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography,  8595 La Jolla Shores Drive. La Jolla Solar Experience
Join your community forum for a powerful Q&A with nationally certified energy practitioners and nonprofit experts. Learn the latest technologies, how solar works, if solar will work for your home, battery storage and integration, available state and federal incentives and much more. Held May 5 from 11 a.m. to noon. at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Complimentary lunch provided. Learn how solar works If solar will work for your home’s latest technologies, battery integration with solar, how much solar and batteries cost financing options available incentives and how to choose a solar provider seminar. Following the seminar, join in for a solar home tour and check out a system and battery up close. An address will be sent to seminar RSVPs prior to the event via email. Learn more and RSVP at sdsolarexperience.org