Encinitas event briefs: Dec. 20

Nathan & Jessie: A holiday special

A musical experience of exhilarating piano music, roaring accordion, choir-esque female and male vocal harmonies is slated for 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Celebrating the end of the year and the start of a new, Nathan Rivera and Jessie Andra Smith host a night of music, featuring Trevor Mulvey on upright bass. Beer and wine will be served. A portion of proceeds go to local music non-profit Banding Together. Tickets: $14. (951) 719-5038.

Book sale at Encinitas Friends Bookstore Jan. 4

Encinitas Friends Bookstore will hold a book sale Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On this day the entire store, with over 5,200 items, is half price. Most books will be from 25 cents to $1, with CDs being 25 cents and DVDs typically $1.

Books range from current fiction, children’s selections, biography, self-help and spirituality to health, history, travel and science. Friends members can start shopping at 9 a.m. Not a Friend, join at the door. Visit encinitaslibfriends.org.

First Sunday Concert with Mark Lessman

On Sunday, Jan. 5 from 2-3 p.m., the Mark Lessman band plays original material by Mark Lessman (sax and flute) and Vince Cooper (guitar) along with a jazz interpretation of a classic rock song or two and material from Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Don Grolnick and the Yellowjackets.

Mark Hunter (bass) and Kevin Koch (drums) were the rhythm section of the band Fattburger who put out 15 albums over the course of the ‘80s and ‘90s and were a favorite on the national jazz festival circuit with their funky Latin grooves. Cooper is a master of chordal textures and has been referred to as one of the most under-rated and under-heard guitarists of this city. Lessman is an Encinitas resident who has been a part of the local jazz scene since the late ‘70s with the exception of years spent in Chicago and the Bay area. For more information, visit www.marklessman.com.

Holiday carolers bring joy to downtown Encinitas

On Dec. 23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Roger Anderson Chorale will sing carols along Highway 101 from D Street to H Street – in the tradition of door-to-door caroling. Encinitas 101 Main Street Association merchants will provide cookies and hot apple cider along the route.

The beauty of singing along Highway 101 during this time is to add an element of festiveness to your holiday shopping. Downtown Encinitas is filled with unique boutiques, cool coffee shops, locally-owned restaurants, microbreweries, hair and nail salons, and a movie theater.

Families Make History, December Craft

From noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays Dec. 22 and 29 at Heritage Ranch, 450 Quail Gardens Drive, families are invited to create holiday ornaments for their homes and Christmas trees. Free. (760) 632-9711.

Exhibit: Gerald Olivas, ‘Seductive Winter in Venice’

A photography exhibit displaying black-and-white glossy photos taken during the winter of 1978-1979 in Venice, Italy will be on display for view Monday through Friday during open hours at Civic Center Gallery, City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., through Jan. 5. The photographs capture the serene beauty and romance of the canals, bridges, buildings and quaint spaces of Venice. Free. (760) 633-2600. drolivas@hotmail.com

Exhibit: Alex Long, ‘Horsehair Raku and Stoneware Pottery’

An exhibit of raku pottery is on view Monday through Friday during open hours at Civic Center Gallery, City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., through Jan. 5. These one-of-a-kind pieces are vary in size from small to monumental, and are perfected in the firing process, creating beautiful glazes and unique art pieces. Free. (760) 633-2600. facebook.com/alexlongraku

Exhibit: Cheryl Ehlers, ‘A Retrospective’

An exhibit of oil and acrylic paintings is on view daily during open hours at the Encinitas Library Gallery, 540 Cornish Drive through Jan. 6. “I find myself reflecting that art must be an integral part of one’s self and can’t simply mirror what’s taking place,” said artist Cheryl Ehlers. “It must ally itself with the forces of creativity and became a key figure within a vibrant community of artists, writers, and activists. We just need to lift the veil of time to experience it.” Free. (760) 753-7376. cherylehlersart.com

Exhibit: Evie Ault, ‘Creative, Fun-ctional Art’

An exhibit of fused glass is on view daily during open hours at the Encinitas Library Gallery, 540 Cornish Drive through Jan. 6. “Fused glass allows me to use my creativity in forming unique art pieces with the colors you see,” said artist Evie Ault. The exhibit demonstrates the wide variety of glass products which can be created through the fusing process. Free. (760) 753-7376. eault@hughes.net

Exhibit: Jill Campbell, ‘Flora and Fauna’

A photography exhibit is on view daily during open hours at the Encinitas Library Gallery, 540 Cornish Drive through Jan. 6. Artist Jill Campbell finds her inspiration in colors, lines, shadows, textures and patterns in nature. Her photographs are taken with a Canon PowerShot camera or iPhone X and printed on paper or can vas. Free. (760) 633-2746. jillcornforth@hotmail.com

Exhibit: Cathy Wessels, ‘Images of North County’

An oil painting exhibit is on view daily during open hours at the Encinitas Community Center Gallery, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive through Jan. 8. Artist Cathy Wessels can be seen painting along the Highway 101, capturing favorite scenes such as the Encinitas sign, Moonlight Beach, Dog Beach, Swami’s, Del Mar and Fletcher Cove. All artworks are original Plein Air oil paintings. Free. (760) 943-2260. artbycathyw.com

Exhibit: Max Roemer, ‘I Like Birds and Birds Like Me’

A mixed media exhibit will be on view daily during open hours at the Encinitas Community Center Gallery, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive through Jan. 8. This exhibit is a series of birds created by Roemer by painting and assembling palm fronds. (760) 633-2748. encinitasca.gov/exhibits

Community Planting & Harbaugh Seaside Trails

The community is invited to volunteer to be part of the historic restoration of Harbaugh Seaside Trails. Volunteers will help Nature Collective biologists to install native plants that will attract pollinators, such as birds, bees and butterflies. This volunteer opportunity takes place 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 21 at Harbaugh Seaside Trails, 2965 Highway 101. Free. (760) 436-3944. info@thenaturecollective.org or thenaturecollective.org/events

Nathan & Jessie: A

holiday special

A musical experience of exhilarating piano music, roaring accordion, choir-esque female and male vocal harmonies is slated for 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Celebrating the end of the year and the start of a new, Nathan Rivera and Jessie Andra Smith host a night of music, featuring Trevor Mulvey on upright bass. Beer and wine will be served. A portion of proceeds go to local music non-profit Banding Together. Tickets: $14. (951) 719-5038.

Master Composter (five-week course)

A five-week Master Composter course is being offered to provide training in the art and science of composting. This course will take place 1:30-4:30 p.m. Fridays Feb. 8 through March 7 at Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, 137 N. El Camino Real. Price: $50. bit.ly/compostingcourse

Holiday Closures

In observance of the holidays the following facilities will be closed:

Encinitas Library: Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1

Encinitas Community Center: Dec. 24, 25, 31 and Jan. 1

City Hall: Dec. 24-Jan. 1.

New Year’s Eve Senior Social Dance

The community is invited to enjoy live music, refreshments and surprise giveaways to celebrate the New Year. Tickets on sale at the Senior Center while supplies last, maximum of eight tickets per person. The event takes place 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31 at the Encinitas Community Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Price: $10. (760) 943-2250. bit.ly/2JgBKcg

Annual Del Mar Lifeguard Penguin Plunge

The Annual Del Mar Lifeguard Penguin Plunge will be held New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 at 11 a.m. on the beach in front of City of Del Mar Beach Safety Center – 1700 Coast Blvd., Del Mar.

Donuts and refreshments will be provided courtesy of Poseidon Restaurant. Participant certificates are available to those who take the plunge. For more information, call Del Mar Lifeguards at (858) 755-1556.

RSF Attack soccer tryouts

Rancho Santa Fe Attack competitive soccer program is holding tryouts for boys and girls born in 2009 to 2006 the weeks of Jan. 6 and 13 at Nativity Church in Rancho Santa Fe. More information on specific dates, times and locations for the different age groups and the link to sign-up for the tryouts can be found on the league website at www.rsfsoccer.com or by texting TRYOUTS to 51555.

All players are requested to sign-up in advance for the tryouts so that they can be sure to receive the most up-to-date information. The weekday tryouts will start at 3:45 p.m. for all age groups.

Botanic Wonderland: Holiday Nights

in the Garden

San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, will illuminate 37 acres of flora, including pine trees, Pony Tail palms and aloes, Dragon trees and bamboo, with more than 125,000 sparkling lights during its Botanic Wonderland Holiday Nights in the Garden. There’s nightly entertainment, visits with Santa, holiday crafts, twinkling light tunnel, dazzling 10-foot poinsettia tower, a musical light show and Kids Fun Zone with nightly “snowfall.” There’s a food truck court, a beer, wine and mulled wine garden, hot chocolate, coffee and more. Visitors can stop by from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17-23 and 26-30. Tickets: $12-$25. sdbgarden.org

Holiday Classic basketball tournament

The Holiday Classic, presented by the Torrey Pines High School Foundation/Boys Basketball Booster Club, is a nationally- sanctioned high school basketball tournament played annually in San Diego. This year’s tournament will be held Dec. 26, 27, 28 and Dec. 30. The 2019 event will feature 76 top tier high school basketball programs from around the country.

The tournament games are played at five different high school gyms in North County and each team is guaranteed four games with a total of about 140 games played over the four-day event.

For schedules, locations and more information on the Holiday Classic, visit theholidayclassic.org.

Nutcracker Ballets

City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is on stage through Dec. 22 at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown San Diego. Tickets from $32. Post-concert Champagne On-Stage Reception Saturday, Dec. 21 for an additional $25 per person. (858) 272-8663. cityballet.org

San Diego Ballet’s version features an international cast of more than 100 dancers under the directon of Javier Velasco, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29 at Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown San Diego. Tickets: $49-139 (619) 294-7311. sandiegoballet.org

Holiday Concerts

San Diego Symphony will perform a Noel Noel Concert, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-22, with Christmas gems and choral favorites. Tickets: $25-$84. Tickets: $13-$28. Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown San Diego. (619) 235-0804. sandiegosymphony.org