Bluegrass Trio to perform concert in Del Mar
Luke Bulla, a champion fiddler, Grammy Award winner and vocalist who won the Grand Champion title at the National Fiddle Contest in Weiser, Idaho at age 16 — making him the youngest to have earned the title at that time — will lead the Luke Bulla Trio in a performance at Town Hall, Del Mar Civic Center, on Friday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), as part of Del Mar Foundation’s Bluegrass and Beyond series. Bulla, formerly the fiddler in Ricky Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder, toured full time with Lyle Lovett and His Large Band from 2009-2023.Reserved and general ission seats are available online at www.delmarfoundation.org/event/luke-bulla-trio. Location address: 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar.
Community Outreach activities at Calvary Lutheran Church, Solana Beach
The following Community Outreach activities will beheld on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Solana Beach:Sack lunches for Interfaith Community Services: the cheerful camaraderie as adults and kids work together to make 500 sack lunches for Interfaith to distribute. 11 a.m. to noon, Feb. 16.Red Cross Blood Drive: The need for blood is critical right now in Southern California. If you can donate, reserve a time slot at RedCrossBlood.org. Enter Sponsor Code: CalvaryLuth in the search box. The Bloodmobile will be at Calvary from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16.Location: Calvary Lutheran Church, 424 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach – across from the racetrack.
Sandpipers Square Dance Club dance classes
Sandpipers Square Dance Club dance classes remain open through Feb. 20 from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach. These weekly classes teach basic square dancing. Singles, couples and families welcome. Casual attire. Delicious snacks provided. This is an opportunity to have fun and learn new skills in a friendly, welcoming community. No need to come with a partner. Donation $10. The event’s professional teachers are dedicated to giving participants a “don’t worry, be happy” ive experience. The goal is seeing new dancers smiling from ear to ear. Sandpipers Club is ed by the City of Solana Beach. Visit SandpipersSquareDanceClub.org.
The Country Friends: ‘A Springtime Lunch & Fashion Show’
Indulge in an afternoon of elegance, fashion, and philanthropy at “A Springtime Lunch & Fashion Show” taking place on Thursday, March 20, 11:30 a.m. — 2 p.m., at Mille Fleurs in the village of Rancho Santa Fe. This exclusive event, co-chaired by Linda Sansone, Kiki Hayward, and Denise Hug, brings together the finest elements of style and community spirit in of The Country Friends Chosen Charities. As guests dine in the iconic setting of Mille Fleurs, they will be treated to an exclusive fashion show by Isola Boutique, featuring the latest in spring fashion, alongside exquisite jewelry designs by John Matty Co. Opportunity drawing tickets are available for a chance to win beautiful earrings designed by John Matty Co. or a gift card to Isola Boutique, according to a news release. Isola Boutique will also be donating 15% of sales from the event to The Country Friends. Events tickets are $125 — seating is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.TheCountryFriends.org (Events category).
10th Annual 15-Inch Cup Challenge benefiting Operation Game On
The 10th Annual 15-Inch Cup Challenge benefiting Operation Game On, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, will be held Monday, March 10, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Driving Range, 15150 San Dieguito Road, Rancho Santa Fe. Operation Game On’s simple mission is to provide golf as a form of rehabilitation for returning combat-injured veterans suffering from physical and mental disabilities. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the 15-Inch Cup Challenge will benefit OGO, according to a news release. The 15-inch Cup Challenge will take place on the driving range, with four distances ranging from 50 to 125 yards. The event will include unlimited food and drinks for all participants. Go to www.operationgameon.org to online, be a spectator or for sponsorships.
Coastal Communities Concert Band’s 42nd Anniversary Concert features trumpet soloist
The Coastal Communities Concert Band, an award-winning symphonic band of more than 75 musicians who live throughout San Diego County, welcomes trumpet soloist Matt Fitzsimmons to its 42nd Anniversary Concert on Saturday, Feb.15, at 2 p.m.at the Carlsbad Community Church, 3175 Harding Street, Carlsbad. ission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and free for students. Tickets may be purchased at the door, by visiting the band’s website at www.cccband.com or by calling 858-761-8421.Special guest Fitzsimmons, a member of U.S. Navy Band Southwest, will perform a New Orleans-style interpretation of Amazing Grace arranged by the Canadian Brass and the well known, virtuosic work, Le Carnaval de Venise. The band’s own French horn section will dazzle with a challenging transcription of Robert Schumann’s Konzerstück for Four Horns.
North Coast Symphony Presents “Mid-Century Gems”
The North Coast Symphony Orchestra presents Mid-Century Gems, a program of exciting orchestral music featuring a tuba concerto, on Saturday, March 8,at 2:30 p.m. at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdelena, Encinitas. The performance features Aaron McCalla, principal tubist with the San Diego Symphony, in Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto. The concert also includes Sergei Prokoviev’s Symphony No. 7 and Malcolm Arnold’s English Dances. The orchestra was founded in 1947 and will be conducted by Jordan Kuspa. ission: $18 general, $15 seniors/students/military, free for children 18 and under. For more information, visit www.northcoastsymphony.com.
Speaker talk titled “Be Set Free” at church
A talk titled “Be Set Free” by Nicole Virgil, CS, a Christian Science healer from Elmhurst, Ill., will be given on Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 6165 La Flecha Road, Rancho Santa Fe, 92067. Virgil will address how “We can seem trapped by circumstances, but living a spiritual sense of God-given liberty opens the way to overcome what binds us.” Virgil’s talk is one hour and will be available to answer questions one on one. The talk will be preceded by an inspirational piano prelude beginning at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Online: cschurchrsf.org. Phone: 858-756-1691. No RSVP required.
North County Republican Women February meeting features guest speaker
the North County Republican Women (NCRW), formerly Rancho Santa Fe Republican Women Federated (RSFRWF), for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach. Doors open for the breakfast meeting at 9:15 a.m. : $20; Guests:$25. RSVP to www.rsfrwf.org by Monday, Feb. 17. Please note that the meeting location has changed. Lomas Santa Fe Country Club will be the group’s meeting location for the next few months while LaValle Coastal Club undergoes renovations.The Feb. 19 speaker is Amy Forsythe, an award-winning military journalist who has served five combat tours ing Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. She’s also been on assignment for several other overseas missions in places such as Romania, Poland, Niger and Sri Lanka. Forsythe has served as a TV reporter in San Diego for many years when not deployed. She has authored “Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines,” which showcases the history and legacy of Marines at Camp Pendleton. She’s the host of the award-winning Tango Alpha Lima podcast sponsored by The American Legion.
New Village Arts presents play “The Half-Life of Marie Curie”
New Village Arts explores the private life of famed scientist Marie Curie in a new play titled ” The Half-Life of Marie Curie.” The 2019 play by Lauren Gunderson focuses on the friendship Curie shared with fellow widow, inventor and suffragette Hertha Ayrton. Opened Feb. 1 and runs through Feb. 23. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Location: Conrad Prebys Theatre at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. Tickets: $35-$60 Online: newvillagearts.org. Phone: 760-433-3245.
Sophie’s Gallery holds “Gotta’ Have Heart: Pen Pals” Valentine’s Day Art Show
With Valentine’s Day coming up, Sophie’s Gallery is celebrating the season of love with “Gotta’ Have Heart: Pen Pals”. This art show is being held at the gallery in Downtown El Cajon (140 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020) and will continue to run through March 31.This year’s Gotta Have Heart will highlight love that goes beyond distance. Through the theme “Pen Pals,” artists from Sophie’s have captured this sentiment through a collection of hand-painted mailboxes, postcard-inspired landscape paintings, postage stamp mosaics, digital postage stamp illustrations, mixed media drawings on vintage letters and envelopes.The public is invited to for the free opening reception of the show, or to visit during gallery hours from Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gift shop will also have handmade Valentine’s gifts for those looking to get something for their sweethearts.All artwork sales directly Sophie’s Gallery and its artists, with 40% going directly to the artists and 60% to the gallery for supplies and overhead for the art program. For more information for Sophie’s Gallery and the art show, visit STMSC.org or call Sophie’s Gallery at (619) 593-2205.
Parkinson’s Association of San Diego’s 23rd annual 5k Step by Step Walk
The 23rd annual 5k Step by Step Walk to the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego will be held Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. walk, 7:30 a.m. check-in, at Liberty Station (2640 Cushing Rd, San Diego, 92106). Registration is now open. In addition to the walk, the event will include exhibitors and vendors — more than 70 companies and organizations that can help you on your Parkinson’s journey. This year’s event has two emcees: News Channel 8’s Carlo Cecchetto and Nurse Practitioner Sherrie Gould. Collect another Walk t-shirt. Plus bandanas for dogs. as an individual, a team, or create a team at www.parkinsonsassociation.org. For event questions or to via phone, call (858) 215-2570.
40th Annual Plays by Young Writers Festival
Delicia Turner Sonnenberg returns to direct Playwrights Project’s 40th annual Plays by Young Writers Festival showcasing new scripts written by youth across California. This year’s festival will be presented to school groups and the public at the Salvation Army’s Joan B. Kroc Theatre Feb. 26-March 1. In the 40-year history of the Festival over 200 winning plays have been produced from the California Young Playwrights Contest. The five scripts selected for the 2025 Festival exemplify the stunning creativity of this bright, generation, a news release stated. Tickets are now on sale at www.playwrightsproject.org/productions/pbyw
Home Electrification Fair
Learn how to make your home healthier and more comfortable, while saving money and polluting less at the Home Electrification Fair. The event will be held Feb. 22 at Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr, Encinitas. Meet and talk to exhibitors: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Seminar by Home Energy Academy,1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Free ission. For more information, visit www.ElectrificationWG.org
Reducing funeral costs
What if you unexpectedly died tomorrow? What would or could your family do? As a public service, Solana Beach Community Connections (SBCC) will host an informative discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 18, on how to lower funeral costs. This discussion will include preplanning advisors from Dignity Memorial and will be held at La Colonia Community Center, located at 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to mix and mingle with light refreshments before the presentation begins at 6 p.m.Experience the value of price comparison and affordable preplanning. Participants will receive take-home materials in English or Spanish. Advisors will be on hand to schedule complimentary one-on-one family appointments with attendees whose questions may best be addressed privately. The event is free and open to the public.
