Del Mar horse racing season begins
Horse racing fans and those who like to wear over-the-top hats and stylish blazers can show off their expertise and fashion sense at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s opening day on Friday, July 18. This event has everything from a hat contest, signature drinks and food to an after-party and horse racing. For those who cannot make it to opening day, the summer racing season goes until Sept. 7. Opening day: 11:30 a.m. July 18. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Visit dmtc.com/racing
Sandpipers Square Dance Club to hold Hawaiian Night Dance
The Sandpipers Square Dance Club will host its monthly community dance party, themed this time as “Hawaiian Night Dance” on Friday, July 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. James Parish Hall, 625 Nardo Ave., Solana Beach. Participants will learn square dancing basics at this fun event. Singles, couples and families all welcome. Casual attire. Partner and dance experience not needed. Tropical-themed snacks served. Donation $10 and free for children. Also, new square dance weekly lessons begin Aug. 7 at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach. Learn more at SandpipersSquareDanceClub.org. All are welcome to enjoy these friendly, upbeat community events.
Free Solar Saturday Workshop for public
The Local Energy Subcommittee of the City of Solana Beach will be hosting Solar Saturday on July 19 at the La Colonia de Eden Gardens Community Center from 10 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. This vendor free, no cost, informational event features a panel of non-profit professionals dedicated to educating the public about how to make the transition to solar power now while tax credits are still available, according to a news release.The topics covered will be Implementing Solar: Incentives for Commercial Buildings, Landlords, Homeowners, presented by Lane Sharman; Existing Implementation Support Services from the Non-Profit Sector presented by Tara Hammond; and Current Policy Concerning Net Metering and Batteries presented by Bill Powers. La Colonia de Eden Gardens Community Center is located at 715 Valley Ave, Solana Beach.
Seaside Sessions: Free live music at Del Mar Plaza
Seaside Sessions are being held at Del Mar Plaza this month (July), offering free live music on the Ocean View Deck every Thursday and Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy a dynamic lineup of local talent across genres, set against sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Upcoming shows include Irish rock band The Fooks on July 19 and The Shams SD (rock covers from the 80s and 90s) on July 24.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a meal or drinks from onsite restaurants, explore the shops and galleries, and watch the sunset to the sounds of live music. For more information, visit www.delmarplaza.com. Address: 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar.
Ice Cream Social at RSF Library
The Rancho Santa Fe Library will celebrate the end of its summer learning program with an Ice Cream Social on Thursday, July 24 from 2-4 p.m.The event will include crafts, face painting and a Zovargo animal show at 2 p.m. featuring a chance for kids to meet wild animals from around the world. 17040 Avenida De Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe.
Summer fun at One Paseo
In celebration of the summer, One Paseo will host an Icebox truck pop-up from July 18-20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Icebox serves up over-the-top frozen shaved ice creations, signature floats and soda combinations. Among the offerings is the Magic Unicorn, with flavors of cotton candy, grape and bubblegum, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. The truck will be parked right by Cava in the center.On Saturday, July 19 One Paseo presents Heroes Unite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will include interactive experiences such as a water slide, live superhero shows, a DJ, a Superhero Passport Scavenger Hunt and retail surprises. Location: 3725 Paseo Place, Carmel Valley.
Concerts at the Cove
The city of Solana Beach and the Belly Up host the Summer Concerts at the Cove series, which currently brings local musicians to the Fletcher Cove Park stage from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 7 for audiences of all ages. Bring low-back beach chairs, blankets and picnics. Visit cityofsolanabeach.org/en/events/concerts-cove-10
Del Mar Summer Twilight Concerts
The Del Mar Foundation will host the Del Mar Summer Twilight Concert series on four dates this summer. 6 p.m. opening act, 7 p.m. headliner. Remaining concerts: July 29 and Aug. 12. Powerhouse Park, 1658 Coast Blvd., Del Mar. Visit delmarfoundation.org/programs/twilight
Summer and Songs in Pacific Highlands Ranch
The Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch presents its free Summer and Songs summer concert series on Thursday Nights, started July 10 and runs through Aug. 28. The concerts will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the village square courtyard. Upcoming shows include Justin Froese on July 17 and Evan Diamond will play on July 24.
Attendees are encouraged to grab takeout from village restaurants or dine on the outside patios to enjoy these special summer nights. Address: 13490 Pacific Highlands Ranch Parkway.
Batiquitos Lagoon presentation: ‘The Mysterious Oarfish’
Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a presentation on July 19 at 10 a.m. titled “The Mysterious Oarfish,” given by Ben Frable, collection manager of the Marine Vertebrate Collection at Scripps Institution. He will explain why these deep-sea fish, known in Japanese folklore, are washing up on the beaches of California. This free, family event is good for adults and kids age 12 and older. Space is limited and is first come, first served. It’s recommended to come 15 minutes early to secure a seat. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. For more information , visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.
San Dieguito High School reunion
The San Dieguito High School class of 1975 will hold its 50-year class reunion from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, Barn, 5704 Paseo del Norte. For tickets, T-shirts and tank tops, visit sdhsclassof75.com.
20th anniversary of Cardiff Dog Days of Summer
Save the date for the 20th anniversary of Cardiff Dog Days of Summer presented by Cardiff 101 Main Street and the City of Encinitas. The one-day celebration for dogs and dog lovers will take place on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Encinitas Community Park. This free event features over 100 dog-related vendors, rescue groups, pet adoption agencies, and a carefully curated “Maker’s Row.” Attendees can also enjoy dog contests, live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, a Libation Lounge, and — for the first time — a VIP tent presented by Carlsbad Pet & Feed. Encinitas Community Park is located at 425 Santa Fe Dr. Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 92024. For more information visit cardiff101.com/DDOS
Tramonto Music Festival
July 18-20 at Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Friday, 7 p.m., Tramonto: Liquid Harmonies; Saturday, 7 p.m., Tramonto: Echoes of the South; Sunday, 2 p.m., Tramonto: Eternal Classics. The Tramonto Music Festival was established by the City of Encinitas to offer audiences access to exceptional classical music experiences. Tramonto is produced by Jacopo Giacopuzzi and features an ensemble of notable and award-winning international musicians. For tickets and more information go to www.encinitasca.gov/community/cultural-arts/concerts/tramonto
North Coast Rep to feature Impro Theatre’s “Jane Austen Unscripted”
North Coast Repertory Theatre will present Impro Theatre’s “Jane Austen Unscripted” on July 28 and July 29 at 7:30 p.m. Jane Austen wrote only six novels, but her wit and wisdom left readers pining for more. Impro Theatre’s Jane Austen UnScripted gives audiences a chance to imagine the other books she might have written. Starting with an audience suggestion and creating completely improvised, full-length plays in the styles of the world’s greatest writers, Impro Theatre is a comic laugh out loud evening of theatre, according to a news release. North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Tickets are $50 with discounts for students, military, and educators. Call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchasetickets.
‘Shrek the Musical’ coming to Carlsbad Community Theater
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” Now, you can see his journey unfold in the stage production of Shrek the Musical. Carlsbad Community Theatre (CCT) is making the Broadway award-winning musical as the first show of its season running July 25 — 27. The favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the DreamWorks Oscar- winning, smash hit, animated film. Get tickets at: www.carlsbadcommunitytheatre.com/shrek The musical will be held at Performing Arts Center at Sage Creek High School, 3900 Bobcat Blvd., Carlsbad, 92010.
Rotary puts on Wine and Food Festival
The Rotary Club of Carlsbad Wine and Food Festival Fundraiser is from 4 to 9 p.m. July 26 at Viasat East Pavilion, 2456 Town Garden Road. The annual event benefits nine charities and features wine sampling from more than 28 wineries from San Diego County, Paso Robles, Temecula, Santa Ynez and the Sierra Foothills. Tickets are at carlsbadwineandfoodfestival.com
Senior Gleaners in need of volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help Senior Gleaners of San Diego County, a volunteer group that harvests surplus fruit and vegetables from gardens and fields to donate to local nonprofits helping people in need. The mission of the group is to reduce food waste and feed needy community members. The gleaning crews need more volunteers age 55 and older. The group also needs more residents with fruit trees to donate excess fruit that they cannot use. Visit seniorgleanerssdco.org/volunteer.
Voices for Children seeks volunteers
The San Diego nonprofit Voices for Children is looking for volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) and stand up for foster children in need. Volunteers are trained and supported by the nonprofit to speak up for children in foster care in court, school and medical settings to make sure their needs are met. CASA volunteers often become an important adult for a child in foster care as they face court hearings, social workers, attorneys and new homes. Visit speakupnow.org.
Encinitas Cruise Nights
Encinitas Cruise Nights with classic and vintage cars and local bands continues from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 17 along Coast Highway 101 in downtown Encinitas. Cars can park in spaces along Coast Highway or cruise down the street. The event is on the third Thursdays of the month through Sept. 18. Visit encinitas101.com.
Moonlight Beach Concerts
The summer Moonlight Beach Concerts, themed Dance on the Sand, with live music for all ages, are from 1 to 5 p.m. July 27, Aug. 10 and Aug. 14 at Moonlight Beach, 400 B St. Each show features top headline performances and showcases local youths from the Leucadia Battle of the Bands from 1 to 2 p.m. The July 13 concert features Lolo Paniolo and Kehulili O Kailani Dancers from 3 to 5 p.m. The opening act features the School of Rock Del Mar and Encinitas, Leucadia Battle of The Bands second runner-up. Admission is free. Visit encinitasca.gov.
Free writing workshop
A free workshop, “Writing As Art: Unleash Your Creative Expression Through Words,” will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 31 at Front Porch Gallery, 2903 Carlsbad Blvd. Author and book coach Andrea Susan Glass will lead students through writing prompts to explore insights about the enjoyment of art. RSVP at frontporchgallery.org.
Death Cafe
Hosted by Selena Jong of Moving Through — Death Doula (www.movingthrough.org) At a Death Cafe event, people, often strangers, gather to have refreshments and discuss death. The objective is to increase awareness of death helping people make the most of their lives. Death Cafe gatherings create an inviting, safe space to share the heartfelt experience of diving into a taboo topic which unites everyone. Free admission. The next event is Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., reoccurring every fourth Saturday of the month. Location: Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive Encinitas. Please RSVP at Meetup: The Death Network or email selenajong@gmail.com. Visit www.deathcafe.com for more information.
Encinitas Historical Society downtown walking tour
The Encinitas Historical Society offers a fun educational walking tour of downtown Encinitas on the third Saturday of every month. The tours begin at 10 a.m., starting at the 1883 One-Room Schoolhouse, located at 390 West F Street. There is plenty of free parking available. On July 19, the tour will cover the south end of the Coast Highway. The Encinitas Historical Society has implemented a suggested donation of $10 per person. The Encinitas Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization with tax exempt status, and it accepts cash, checks or credit/debit cards. Children and dogs are always free. Contact the Encinitas Historical Society at 760-942-9066 or info@encinitashistoricalsociety.org with any questions.
Misti Washington Gourd & Basket Guild to hold Annual Basket Class Day
Misti Washington Gourd & Basket Guild recently announced that their Annual Basket Class Day will be held on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.This is a traditional day of celebration. The guild is featuring low cost classes for members and the community. Registration for this event is open to the public.The basket and gourd making classes will be held at the San Dieguito Heritage Museum at Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas, next to the San Diego Botanic Garden. Turn onto Ecke Ranch Road to access driveway.The cost of the classes range from $35 to $70.The classes offered include: Pine Needle Basket Around a Found Object with Carol Lang; Round Basket Your Way with Marsha Orr; Faux Leather Tooling on Gourd with Grace Swanson; Paper Cord Basket with Latch Twining and Beads with Willie Ziegler; and Wet Felted Bow with Pam Watson (this last session is full).For more information and class registration instructions go to baskets-gourds.com/classes.