BONSALL
Virtual ‘Saturday Morning at the Zoo’
The nonprofit Wild Wonders animal refuge offers a virtual program, “Saturday Morning at The Zoo,” at 10 a.m. Saturday. The program features “The Rain Forest with animal ambassadors from the top of the canopy to the leafy covered floor of the forest.” Cost of the 45-minute Zoom session is $20. Registration closes at noon Friday at wildwonders.org.
CARLSBAD
Free series of Hebrew classes offered
A free series of Hebrew classes hosted by Congregation B’nai Tikvah will be held this month and in March for Hebrew readers who are ready for a comprehensive review. Level 2 for review and intermediate readers will begin in March for four sessions and will cover topics about the Passover Haggadah. The class along with books, materials and Internet support are covered by a national grant, “Read Hebrew Across America” by the National Jewish Outreach Program. This program is open to the North County community. Call (858) 472-0303 or email naomi.gabai.fisher@gmail.com.
Program in honor of Black History Month
The DNA Interest Group, sponsored by the North San Diego County Genealogical Society, will host a live webinar from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. In honor of Black History Month, documentarian and genealogist Nicka Smith will give a presentation titled “Finding Isaac Rogers.” Smith will discuss how a book, scant clues, crowd-sourced research, DNA and limited online records came together to confirm ancestral ties to the Trail of Tears, U.S. Civil War, a hanging judge, an outlaw and slavery in the Cherokee Nation. The webinar is free; registration is required at nsdcgs.org. For questions, email dig@nsdcgs.org or call (760) 688-9393.
ESCONDIDO
Romance novels topic of book discussion
The Escondido Public Library hosts a virtual panel discussion on romance in graphic novels and comics with panelists Steve Ammidown, Sarah Kuhn, Sydney Heifler, Johnnie Christmas and moderator Jessica Buck from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Facebook Live. The group will be taking questions from viewers. Books are available in the library collection, or purchase books from Mysterious Galaxy. Visit library.escondido.org.
NORTH COUNTY
Braille Institute runs free online seminars
The Braille Institute runs free online seminars with doctors and educational workshops for “Low Vision Awareness Month.” A presentation on Age-Related Macular Degeneration by Dr. SriniVas R. Sadda of the Doheny Eye Institute will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Visit brailleinstitute.org to register for a workshop or consultation.
Free virtual concert
for Valentine’s Day
Scripps Ranch Theatre and Oceanside Theatre Company present a free Valentine’s Day concert of classic love songs performed by award-winning pianist Robert Parker. The concert will stream live at 6 p.m. today. Parker will perform love songs such as “Misty,” “My One And Only,” “Evergreen,” “Always And Forever” and “Your Song.” The show is free as a Valentine’s gift from both theater groups. Visit scrippsranchtheatre.org/robertparkerlovesongs or oceansidetheatre.org/robertparkerlovesongs.
Upcoming blood drives throughout the county
The San Diego Blood Bank holds several mobile blood drives in parking lots in North County this week:
La Costa Glen retirement community, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at 1950 Silverleaf Circle, Carlsbad.
Grocery Outlet, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 1516 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido.
Panera Bread, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at 10430 Craftsman Way, Rancho Bernardo.
Albertsons, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at 1459 Main St., Ramona.
Grocery Outlet, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at 1101 S. Main Ave., Fallbrook.
Rancho Bernardo Town Center, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at 11965 Bernardo Plaza Drive.
Blood donations will be tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Appointments are required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.
OCEANSIDE
MiraCosta hosts events for Black History Month
MiraCosta College hosts several presentations for Black History Month.
Strength through Black Sisterhood, 3 to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday via Zoom. Umoja Liaison Carolyn Goodspeed will “share space that centers Black women and their experiences.” Register at tinyurl.com/SisterMCC.
Culinary Therapy: Making Meals that Heal, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. The owner of Eight16 Culinary Therapy, Mercedes Tiggs, will give tips on how to make the perfect meal. Participants learn how to recreate the famous fried chicken of Chef Leah Chase of Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans. The ingredient list is at tinyurl.com/IngredientBox. Register at tinyurl.com/MercedesTiggs.
Civil Rights, Black Lives Matter, and Law Enforcement Excessive Force, noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday via Zoom. Attorney Duane Bennet discusses his near-death experience with the police as a Black attorney and how that led him to seek a better understanding of the law of policing in the Black community. Register at tinyurl.com/DuaneBennet.
Republican club meets virtually on Wednesday
Republican Club of Ocean Hills hosts Paula Whitsell, chairwoman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, on Wednesday via Zoom. Whitsell will address the goals of the Republican Party of San Diego County and how the organization will contribute to the 2022 midterm elections. Program begins at 1 p.m., followed by speaker at 1:15 p.m. For link to attend, email republicanclubofoceanhills@gmail.com or call (760) 497-6117. Visit republicanclubofoceanhills.com.
Free online lectures aimed at older adults
The Oceanside Public Library is partnering with MiraCosta LIFE (Learning is For Everyone) to offer a free series of online lectures via Zoom at 1 p.m. Fridays aimed at older adults in North County. Registration is required at forms.gle/UMnrvJrnnNfHEcNVA or email life.miracosta@gmail.com to join the LIFE group.
RANCHO BERNARDO
Republican women’s group meets Friday
The Rancho Bernardo Republican Women Federated will host Paula Whitsell, chairwoman of the Republican Party of San Diego County, at a Zoom meeting from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday. Whitsell will discuss the goals of the organization and how to contribute to the 2022 midterm elections. For a link to attend, email rbrwf.org.
RANCHO SANTA FE
Animal center puts on virtual Doggie Gras
Helen Woodward Animal Center is putting on its annual Doggie Gras as a virtual funraiser event this year with an online costume and float contest. Participants can enter a photo of their pet’s best New Orleans Mardi Gras inspired outfit for a $10 donation. Registration closes 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. Winners in all categories will be announced on Friday. Register at my.animalcenter.org/campaign/doggie-gras-goes-virtual/c321381.
Church offers Walk of Prayer and Reflection
The Village Church will offer an on-site Walk of Prayer and Reflection from 3 to 5 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the church campus, 6225 Paseo Delicias. Participants can visit Prayer Stops of faith, love and forgiveness. Small vials of ashes will be available for self-application. Physical distancing and masks are required. No reservation needed. A pre-recorded Ash Wednesday service marking the beginning of the Christian observation of Lent will be available online starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday at villagechurch.org.
SAN MARCOS
CSUSM program hosts virtual dance event
California State University San Marcos’ Arts And Lectures Program will host a free virtual dance event from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. De-Composing Dance: A Discourse for Dance Decomposition and Choreographies of Breath is an improvised danced lecture, poem and song. Tickets are at eventbrite.com/e/de-composing-dance-tickets-138354627415.
VALLEY CENTER
Golf tournament rescheduled for Friday
The ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter rescheduled its 12th annual ALS Golf Classic, a communitywide fundraising golf tournament, for Friday at the Native Oaks Golf Club (formerly called Woods Valley Golf Club), 14616 Woods Valley Road. Donation to play golf is $200 per player, including gift bag, food, beverages, contests and games. The tournament features a four-person scramble format. Scattered starting tee times on holes Nos. 1 through 10 will range from 8 to 10:15 a.m. Visit alsgolfclassic.net or email eandrews@alsasd.org.
LINDA MCINTOSH U-T
northcounty@sduniontribune.com