Reading program at animal shelter

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers Happy Tales for children 6 and older to read aloud to shelter animals, such as dogs, cats and rabbits awaiting adoption. Upcoming sessions include from 11 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Nov. 17 and 11 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Dec. 14. Sessions are limited to six children. Each child must be supervised by a parent. Readers can bring their own books or borrow a book from the shelter’s library. The cost is $10 per child. Preregistration is required at rchumanesociety.org/youth-programs/happy-tales. To hold a Happy Tales session for your own small group, email education@sdpets.org.

Art Night at gallery

Off Track Gallery’s free Art Night reception is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 16 featuring the annual Holiday Small Image Show and art awards and live music. Artist Dolores Renner will show her handcrafted jewelry adorned with Swarovski crystals and gemstones. The Off Track Gallery, run by the nonprofit San Dieguito Art Guild, is in the Lumberyard Shopping Center, 937 S. Coast Highway. There will be discounts on art at the event. Visit sandieguitoartguild.com.

Sandpipers Square Dance Club event

Sandpipers Square Dance Club will hold community dances on Nov. 23 from 6-7 p.m. at St. James Parish Hall, 625 S. Nardo Ave, Solana Beach. This monthly event introduces square dancing. Singles, couples and families welcome. Casual attire, refreshments. Partner and dance experience not needed. Donation $10; free for children. Supported by City of Solana Beach. Visit SandpipersSquareDanceClub.org.

Breeders’ Cup events at Del Mar Racetrack: Beer & Cider Fest, Toys for Tots

Beer & Cider Fest: Nov. 23, 12 p.m. — 4 p.m. The Beer & Cider Fest is back at Del Mar, overflowing with food, music, and brews. Sample from over 50 brews, ciders and seltzers while enjoying live horse racing, all trackside. This event is open to all attendees, and you can purchase five beer tickets for $15.Toys for Tots: Nov. 24. Help put a smile on a child’s face by bringing a new, unwrapped toy or making a monetary donation. In return, you’ll receive free racetrack admission on Sunday. Make sure to look for the donation bins located outside the Admission Gates and spread some holiday cheer while enjoying a day at the track. Visit www.dmtc.com for more information.

Encinitas Ballet Nutcracker

City of Encinitas presents Nutcracker in partnership with Encinitas Ballet on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. at San Dieguito Academy Performing Arts Center, 800 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas.Encinitas Ballet will present this joyful event for all ages to enjoy. Audiences can expect an uplifting and magical performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker complete with a dazzling holiday party, giant mice doing battle with toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, a Nutcracker that transforms into a handsome prince, and exotic dances from around the world. For tickets go to shorturl.at/0TwWo or call 760-633-2746.

Encinitas Turkey Trot

Thursday, Nov. 28 will mark the 10th anniversary of a favorite Thanksgiving morning tradition, the Encinitas Turkey Trot. The event offers fun for the whole family with 5K and 10K race options, starting under the world-famous “Encinitas” sign on Coast Highway 101 with beautiful ocean views along the course. Creative costumes are always encouraged and prizes will be awarded for individual and group costumes.The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Proceeds from race registration will support veterans through the nonprofit organization VANC. For over 17 years VANC actively supports service personnel and their families to help them navigate life during and after service. The race will also support Boy Scouts of America Troop 776. Register at encinitasturkeytrot.org.

North Coast Rep features “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help”

North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the San Diego premiere of “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” directed by Jenny Sullivan and written by Katie Forgette. The show runs Oct. 23-Nov. 24. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the 1970s, Katie Forgette’s charming comedy unfolds within the confines of a working-class home, according to a news release. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. To buy tickets and for more information, call 858-481-1055 or visit www.northcoastrep.org.

North Coast Rep Theatre Reading Series to present ‘Inherit the Wind’

The North Coast Repertory Theatre Reading Series will present “Inherit the Wind” on Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place at North Coast Repertory Theatre (987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach). Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at northcoastrep.org/readings-at-the-rep/ or at the Box Office (858) 481-1055.Inherit the Wind, by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee, is a gripping courtroom drama that brings history to life with a powerful clash of ideas. Based on the famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial, this play pits science against faith in a battle over the teaching of evolution in schools. Visit www.northcoastrep.org for more information.

Death Cafe

At a Death Cafe, people, often strangers, gather to eat snacks, drink tea and discuss death. The objective is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. The group creates an inviting, safe space to share the heartfelt experience of diving into a taboo topic which unites everyone. Free admission. Saturday Nov. 23, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., held every fourth Saturday of the month at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive Encinitas. RSVP at Meetup: The Death Network or email selenajong@gmail.com (www.deathcafe.com).

‘Garden Like a Pro’

Master gardener to give talk, ‘Garden Like a Pro’ St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will host a community lunch from 11:30 to 2 p.m. Nov. 19 featuring a presentation by master gardener Mary Friestedt on “Garden Like a Pro.” Friestedt, a docent at the San Diego Botanic Garden, will share her expertise working with native plants, eco-friendly pest control and growing herbs for cooking. Viewpoint Brewing Co. will provide a menu of food options. Cost is $15 for lunch. The church is at 1 Parish Lane, between 14th and 15th streets. To register, email office@stpetersdelmar.net or call 858-755-1616.

Salute to Paws 5K and festival

Locally-based nonprofit Shelter to Soldier will put on its inaugural Salute to Paws 5K and Gratitude Festival for Dogs starting at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at Naval Training Center Park in Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road. Proceeds go to the nonprofit, which rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them to become service animals for post-9/11 veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, among other injuries. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., followed by yoga flow at 8 a.m., the 5K at 9 a.m. and the Gratitude Festival for Dogs with live music, beer and mimosa garden, pet vendors and “Rescue Row” with pet adoptions. Tickets start at $50; $25 for children; $10 per dog; early bird discount through Oct. 15 is $10 off adult tickets, $5 off kids tickets and free for dogs. Sponsorships are sought. Visit bit.ly/SaluteToPaws.

North Coast Rep to present benefit concert celebrating American music

A celebration of American music to benefit North Coast Repertory Theatre will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at North Coast Repertory Theatre. Celebrate the holidays with acclaimed pianist Mackenzie Melemed and support North Coast Rep with music and stories from the 1800s to the present day.The event will feature music by George Gershwin, Edward MacDowell, Louis-Moreau Gottschalk, Florence Price and Amy Beach, as well as some of Broadway’s favorites, a news release stated. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.northcoastrep.org or at the Box Office (858) 481-1055. North Coast Rep is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach.