The Neighborhood Empowerment Alliance is sponsoring a Neighborhood Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest, 4190 Front St. The objective is to select the first goal of the Alliance based on results of past workshops and the polling of neighborhood residents about their concerns. Contact Neighborhoods for Campaign Finance Reform coordinator John Hartley at 619-299-8870 or by email to [email protected].
Meditation Flash Mob Saturday, Jan. 14
The public is invited to a Meditation Flash Mob at 3:21 p.m. in Balboa Park. The exact location will be given the day before the event. Expect a lightly guided meditation for 20 minutes to celebrate the benefits of “disconnecting to connect.” The meditation will be led by Megan Leuchars of UCSD Center For Mindfulness. An after-party will follow. Participants will be invited to gather in a nearby venue to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate the launch of the mindful tech start-up Ransomly, billed as “a Bluetooth beacon that creates an app-free space in your home.” Email [email protected] or visit bit.ly/2iMuioC.
‘A Wild and Precious Life’ author speaks Sunday, Jan. 15
Deborah Ziegler, author of “A Wild and Precious Life,” Death with Dignity advocate and mother of Brittany Maynard, will speak at the Hemlock Society, 1:30-3 p.m. in the Scottish Rite Event Center, 1895 Camino del Rio South. The memoir is about Maynard’s efforts to die with dignity after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Maynard’s death, utilizing the law in Oregon, made California’s End of Life Option Act possible. Visit hemlocksocietysandiego.org.
Care bags for LGBT homeless youth Sunday, Jan. 15
Come together as a community to serve LGBT homeless youth for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteer to assemble donated items into care bags for the LGBT homeless youth served by San Diego Youth Services. Donations will be collected from noon to 1 p.m., and care bags will be assembled from 1 to 2 p.m. at HRC San Diego, 801 Fourth Ave. Visit bit.ly/2iyMm5x.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Interfaith Service Monday, Jan. 16
San Diego Leaders from diverse faiths will join hands in community service as part of the National Day of Service in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. Members of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, LDS, Unitarian and Hindu congregations will help beautify Balboa Park from 9 a.m. until noon. The group will work near Juniper Road and Balboa Drive at the park’s southwest end. Activities may include clearing and hauling brush and trash, cleaning flower beds and planting. Volunteers are invited to stay for musical entertainment and a complimentary picnic of hot dogs and chips beginning at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are encouraged to register at fumcsd.org/MLKDay.
North Park Community Association free mixer Tuesday, Jan. 17
Meet North Park Community Association members and residents at a free mixer, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Thorn St. Brewery, 3176 Thorn St. Sign up to become an association member in time for the free Summer Concert Series at Bird Park. Visit northparksd.org.
Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Forest Whitaker and Jaye Davidson star in “The Crying Game,” a haunting, humorous and shocking romantic thriller. Directed by Neil Jordan, the film had six Oscar nominations and won for Best Screenplay. Rating: R. FilmOut presents this classic from 25 years ago from 7 to 10 p.m. at Landmark Hillcrest Cinemas, 3965 Fifth Ave. Visit filmoutsandiego.com.
Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, Jan. 21
Enjoy this cultural celebration from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Mission Hills Library, 925 W. Washington St. This event will include a traditional dragon dance by Three Treasures Cultural Arts Society in the parking lot at 10 a.m. Then learn about the traditions of Chinese New Year with hands-on family craft fun in the children’s area. Call 619-692-4910 or visit bit.ly/2iYOc02.
‘Oh My Gad’ Tuesday, Jan. 24
Gad Elmaleh performs his comedy routine titled “Oh My Gad, ” 8 p.m. at The Observatory North Park, 2891 University Ave. Elmaleh is a Moroccan-born Frenchman who has become a comedy star across Europe. Often called the Jerry Seinfeld of France, Elmaleh has set his sights on America. Doors open at 7 p.m. Visit bit.ly/2iZ3gL3.
‘Stories with Chutzpah’ Tuesday, Jan. 24
Write Out Loud presents “Stories with Chutzpah,” a reading of short stories written by beloved Jewish authors, 7 p.m. at Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. at the Old Town Theatre. The readings will be accompanied by traditional klezmer music. San Diego theater critic Pat Launer will join Walter Ritter, Patricia Haskel Freund and Rhona Gold to read these remarkable stories. Visit cygnettheatre.com.
RECURRING EVENTS
Select dates:
Cinema Under the Stars: Films presented at an outdoor viewing space on various nights of the week. Upcoming films:
“The Accountant,” 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13 and Saturday, Jan. 14.
“The Girl on the Train,” 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 and Saturday, Jan. 21.
Films start at 8 p.m. $15. 4040 Goldfinch St., Mission Hills. 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. 619-694-9148. 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. bit.ly/2j24FjY.
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.