11-14
AUTO ART LIFE at MiraCosta College will meet at 1:30 p.m. Nov.14, Room 1068, MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Administration Building, Oceanside. Art Fitzpatrick, automobile artist and the world’s leading illustrator of the automobile, will discuss his career. At 2:30 p.m. Charles G. Smith, Ph.D will present “Discovering and Developing New Drugs”, a discussion on how methodologies adopted by biomedical research scientists develop lifesaving drugs today. For details, call (760) 721-8124.

HOLIDAY FAIR The Grace Community Church Holiday Fair will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, 855 Barham Drive. Arts and crafts, Christmas decorations, jewelry, gifts and more will be available. Call (760) 761-4922 or visit www.gracenorthcounty.com to learn more.

11-15
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR St. Patrick’s Altar Society will present its annual Christmas bazaar from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 15 and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 16, Church Hall, 3821 Adams Street. International Christmas trees, unique Santas, a miniature art Show, toys, and customized gift baskets will be available. Call Mary Fischer at (760) 431-8124 for details.

CLOSE CALL Mari Kelley will discuss her near-death experience from 1 to 3:45 p.m., Nov. 15, Quimby Classroom, Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive. RSVP required. Visit www.seasidechurch.org or contact Beverly Brodsky at (619) 660-5106 to learn more.

BASKETRY CLASS The San Dieguito Heritage Museum will be offering an introduction to pine needle basketry class form 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov.15 at the museum, 450 Quail Gardens Drive. Carol E. Lang will be teaching students to use local natural materials, transforming yard waste into functional vessels. Bring sharp scissors. To register, call the office at (760) 632-9711. For details, call (750) 431-1645 or e-mail caldesigns@roadrunner.com.

GET PUBLISHED Publishers and Writers of San Diego will host a half-day seminar and luncheon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15, Carmel Valley Library, 3919 Townsgate Drive. Anyone with an interest in writing, editing, publishing, designing, or anything related to books and digital publishing is encouraged to attend. Cost for the seminar and luncheon is $87. RSVP at www.publisherswriters.org.

GRAND OPENING The Artists by the Sea Gallery’s grand opening will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Nov. 15, 111 Chesterfield Drive. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and listen to live music. There will be a special grand opening sale. Call (760) 479- 0700 or visit www.artistsbytheseagallery.com to learn more.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE The city of San Marcos and the San Elijo Hills Women’s Club will present the fourth annual San Elijo Holiday Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15, San Elijo Hills Recreation Center, 1105 Elfin Forest Road. This free event will include arts and crafts vendors, food, entertainment, a free children’s craft area and more. Call (760) 744?9000 or visit www.sanmarcos.net to learn more.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND Canine Companions for Independence will hold a graduation ceremony at noon Nov.15, Mission San Luis Rey Parish's Serra Center, 4070 Mission Avenue. This special event will honor the newest class of graduates with physical and developmental disabilities as they formally receive their new assistance dogs. For details, visit www.cci.org or call (800) 572-2275.

MARINE CORPS BALL The Pendleton Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will host its 31st annual U.S. Marine Corps Ball to celebrate the Corps 233rd birthday at 7 p.m. Nov. 15, South Mesa Staff NCO Club, Camp Pendleton. The R.B. Swingtet Band will perform after dinner. The cost is $45 per person. All military personnel, active duty, retired or veteran from any service and their guests are welcome. Call Lt. Col. Bill Byrne at (760) 723-4751 for details.

MEET SANTA The Christ at Home Boutique will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov.15, Faith Lutheran Church, 700 E. Bobier Drive. Sponsored by Faith Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, the event will include stitchery, a raffle, candy, jewelry, Santa photo opportunities, a petting zoo and more. A holiday turkey dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for 12 and up and $4 for 11 and under.

TRI-CITY GALA The Tri-City Hospital Foundation will host its 28th annual Baile de Esperanza gala celebration on Nov. 15, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 7100 Four Seasons Point, Carlsbad. This event will benefit Tri-City Medical Center. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent and live auction items as well as participate in a grand prize drawing to win one of five luxurious get-away vacation packages. Call (760) 603-6800 to learn more.

WORM FOOD Shelley Grossman, a local volunteer educator, will speak on vermicomposting at 12:45 p.m. Nov. 15, Room 7001, MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside. Vermicomposting is a recycling method utilizing earthworms. Refreshments and a plant raffle follow. Call (760) 729-8172 to learn more.

11-16
BURNING BRIDGES The American Contract Bridge League Unit 531 unit game will begin at 1 p.m. Nov. 16, Ocean Hills Country Club, Abravanel Hall, 4701 Leisure Village Way, Oceanside. There is a free lunch at 12:15 p.m. The cost is $7. Visit www.acbldistrict22.com/531 to learn more.

OPERA FAVORITES The California Foundation for International Global Arts will host “Favorite Duets from Opera” featuring the Solana Intimate Ensemble at 3:15 p.m. Nov. 16, 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas. The event will commence with a reception at 2:30 p.m. Contact Dennis Ellman at (858) 453-9600 to learn more.

PLATTER OF FIGS Chez Panisse’s Head Chef David Tanis will discuss his new cookbook “A Platter of Figs” at 2 p.m. Nov. 16, The Book Works, 2670 Via de la Valle, Suite A230, Del Mar. Afterwards, he will sign books and there will be appetizers. Tanis holds the prestigious post of head chef at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. Contact Jet Hopster at (858)-755-3735 or at jet@book-works.com to learn more.

11-17
BEST TIME OF YEAR “Savor the Season” will be the theme of the San Marcos-Vista Christian Women's connection luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 17, Lake San Marcos Country Club, 1750 San Pablo Drive. The cost is $16 inclusive. All reservations need to be made by Nov. 13. For reservations, call Donna at (760) 432-0772 or Muriel at (760) 744-374.

11-18
LEARN CPR Tri-City Medical Center will offer CPR classes for beginners who want to learn adult and infant CPR, as well as what to do if someone is choking, from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov.18. Enrollment must be in person from 7:30 a.m to 4 p.m. in the Education Department, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside. Participants will receive an American Heart Association card certifying completion. Cost is $50 and course materials are $15. For details, call (760) 940-5693 or (760) 940-3118.

11-19
GUITAR HERO The Carlsbad High School Associated Student Body Council is sponsoring the return of classical/contemporary guitarist Miguel de Hoyos at 7 p.m. Nov. 19, Cultural Arts Center, 3557 Lancer Way, Carlsbad. The guitarists will be performing with award winning violinist Alex DePue. The cost is $15, and CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase. Contact TR Robertson at trobertsasb@yahoo.com to learn more. MUTI-TASKER Scientist, speaker, technical consultant and author David Brin will speak on his diverse background and projects, present and future, at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19, Encinitas Library Community Room, 540 Cornish Drive. For details, call (760) 753-7376.

11-20
LIFE AFTER BUSH The League of Women Voters North Coast will hold a post-election discussion at 10 a.m. Nov. 20, La Posada de Guadalupe, 2476 Impala Drive, Carlsbad. The discussion is titled “Has the media influenced or changed voting trends and the public’s access to data before elections?” For details on the League, visit www.lwvncsd.org or contact the North Coast League of Women Voters at (760) 736-1608.

WOODWORKING 101 Instructor Pat Salter will teach Woodworking: Pen Making on the Lathe from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 20, Arts & Crafts Hobby Shop, Mainside, Building 13113, MCB Camp Pendleton. Learn the skills necessary to construct a pen and pencil set. Space is limited, and the cost is $35. For details, call (760) 725-4880.

11-21
OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP The Ostomy Support Group of North San Diego County will meet at 1 p.m. Nov. 21, Assembly Room 1, Lower level Tri-City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside. Robotic surgeon Dr. Carol Salem is the featured speaker this month. Learn more about how the Da Vinci Surgical System seamlessly replicates the movements of the surgeon’s hands with the tips of micro-instruments. Call (760) 724-1088 to learn more.

11-22
KILLER COMICS Comics That Kill will present a standup comedy show to benefit the San Diego Surfrider Foundation from 8 to 10 p.m. Nov. 22, E Street Café, 128/130 West E St. The comedians scheduled to perform are Molly Harper, Jonny Loquasto, Mary Patterson Broome, Kyle Smith and Chris Millhouse. Hosted by Jason Bang. For details, call (760) 230-2038.

MAGICAL MERCADO The Leucadia Magical Mercado will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22, 225 Raintree Drive, Leucadia. The event features local female designers creating jewelry, belts, jeans, children's couture and home decor along with Le Chef Exotique's crepe stand. Participating vendors include Wabisabi Green, Addy Mae Creations, Physique Boutique, Hippie Chix Studio, MindyG and Wrapsody. Call (760) 445-9225 or visit www.wabisabigreen/mercado.html to learn more.

PLANETARY FEAST An afternoon of feasting, giving thanks to the planet, and calling on leaders for global warming solutions will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Pine Avenue Park, 3500 Harding Street, Carlsbad. Events include a group photo, letter writing to politicians, and fun kid activities. Bring a dish to share.

ONGOING
COMPUTERS, MADE EASY The Oceanside Senior Center offers a variety of computer classes to help seniors improve their computer skills: basics, intermediate, Internet & e-mail, CDRW/DVD (burning data files and music CDs, and creating a basic multimedia presentation with photos and music), tips and tricks, and scanners and digital cameras. Classes are tailored for seniors by our expert, Joan Yap, and emphasis is on repetition and a slower pace. For details, contact Oceanside Senior Citizens' Center, 455 Country Club Lane, at (760) 435-5250.

JAZZY JUNIORS The Carlsbad Recreation Department will conduct a new Junior Jazzercise class for children ages 3 to 5 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays starting Oct. 29, Stagecoach Community Center, 3420 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad. The cost is $36 for Carlsbad residents and $46 non-residents. For details, call (760) 602-4690 or visit www.CarlsbadConnect.org.

QIGONG ENERGY CLASS The Carlsbad Recreation Department will conduct a new Qigong for Energy class from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays starting Oct. 28, Harding Community Center, 3906 Harding St., Carlsbad. The cost for a 6-class session is $49 for residents and $59 for non-resident. For details and to register, call (760) 602-7510 or visit www.CarlsbadConnect.org.

QUILT VISIONS The Oceanside Museum of Art will present the premiere of Quilt Visions 2008: Contemporary Expressions from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 704 Pier View Way. The exhibition will run through March 1.

WATERCOLOR WITH RIKKI Rikki Reinholz will teach watercolor classes for all skill levels at the relocated Studio of Art and Design beginning Oct. 7, 742 Genevieve, Suite H, Solana Beach. Classes are held on Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon and evening. Call the Studio for details at (858) 755-6202.