South County Happenings, Dec. 4: Chula Vista’s Starlight Nights, Kimball Holiday in National City, South Bay Holiday

City councils: Chula Vista, 5 p.m. Tuesday; Coronado, 4 p.m. Tuesday; Imperial Beach, 6 p.m. Wednesday; National City, 6 p.m. Tuesday

‘Starlight Nights’ in Chula Vista tonight

The city of Chula Vista and the Downtown Chula Vista Association kick off the holiday season with the free “Starlight Nights” from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. tonight on Third Avenue downtown. The lighting of a 25-foot-tall tree takes place at 5:45 p.m. on the plaza at the northwest corner of Memorial Park, 373 Park Way. Children can enjoy rides on Santa’s Holiday Train, and holiday shopping abounds at local businesses and at the Holiday Market. Live music will be performed on the stage near the historical Third Avenue sign throughout the evening. And Santa will make an appearance. Visit thirdavenuevillage.com/starlight-nights.

IB bids goodbye to outgoing mayor

The city of Imperial Beach invites the community to the Leave of Office Ceremony honoring outgoing Mayor Serge Dedina and Councilmember Ed Spriggs. The ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Dempsey Holder Safety Center, 950 Ocean Lane.

Port hosts South Bay holiday event

The Port of San Diego invites the community to its 2022 South Bay Holiday, a free, family-friendly event from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Aquatic Center in Pepper Park, 3299 Tidelands Ave., National City. Enjoy holiday treats and refreshments, giveaways and activities, and have a photo taken with Santa. Shop for gifts created by local artisan craft vendors. Free shuttle service is available from two locations: Paradise Creek Apartments, 2120 Hoover Ave., and the National City Public Library, 1401 National City Blvd. Guests can also explore the Aquatic Center, a waterfront event space, and learn about the Port of San Diego. No RSVP required to attend. Parking is free and plentiful. Contact PortAquaticCenter@portofsandiego.org.

National City invites all to ‘Kimball Holiday’

National City invites everyone to “A Kimball Holiday,” from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Kimball Park, 148 E. 12th St., held by the city and the National City Chamber of Commerce. The event features a live DJ and LED dance floor, a tree lighting (at 6 p.m.), Santa’s Village and Who-Ville, a Ferris wheel, arts and crafts, a vendor and food court, a car show, resource booths and snow! And don’t forget about the Reindeer Dash 1-Mile Walk/Run from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the park. Free to participate; check-in at 8:30 a.m. Thirty more spots have been opened, so register soon at www.nationalcityca.gov/events. After the race, join everyone at the MLK Community Center for the quarterly Community Breakfast, free to the first 100 people. Contact (619) 336-4290 or email communityservices@nationalcityca.gov.

IB holds classes with fire department

The Imperial Beach Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department offers two safety classes this week with Fire Department personnel at the Senior Community Center, 1075 Eighth St.:
Holiday Safety, 11 a.m. Tuesday: Learn tips and tricks for a safe holiday season.
Fall Prevention and Safety, 10 a.m. Friday: Learn how to prevent falls and safety. Open to older adults and caregivers.

Girl Scout groups recognize volunteers

Twenty-eight volunteers from San Diego and Imperial counties were recently recognized by Girl Scouts San Diego and Girl Scouts of the USA for their commitment to the Girl Scouts’ mission — building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Honorees were recognized across 10 categories, including the Thanks Badge, which honors adult members whose service has benefited the entire council and made an exceptional impact locally or nationally. This year’s Thanks Badge are San Diego residents Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder, who have partnered with GSUSA to increase planned giving support across the country since 2012, creating the Juliette Gordon Low Society and advancing their personal mission of knocking down barriers to gender equality. The Conrad Prebys Foundation and San Diego Foundation were honored with the Philanthropist Award for strengthening the mission of Girl Scouts San Diego through generous support. Local award winners were Appreciation Pin: Anne Burnett, Melissa Bennett and Nancy Mowry, Coronado, Brooklyn Cave, Clairemont, Elisa Hilliard, Julia Robles and Lily Valmidiano, Chula Vista/Bonita, and Trista Zeis, San Diego; Cookie Award: Lauren Giardina, Imperial Beach, Stephanie Nurding, Coronado, and Teresa Fong, San Diego; Fran Styles Award: Deb Lechner, Chula Vista/Bonita, and Pearl Szymanski, Coronado; Honor Pin: Sheila Cavanaugh, San Diego; Thanks Badge I: Dianne Belk and Lawrence Calder, Girl Scouts San Diego. Visit sdgirlscouts.org.

French school holds holiday fair

The San Diego French-American School holds a Marché de Noel Winter Fair from 2:30-7 p.m. Friday at 6550 Soledad Mountain Road, La Jolla. Enjoy food, shopping and music. Call (858) 456-2807.

Chula Vista hosts senior forum

Chula Vista invites those age 50 and older to an interactive forum and light lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Norman Park Senior Center, 270 F St., to discuss issues affecting older adults. Get updates on the Age-Friendly Chula Vista initiative and let city staff know your thoughts. Learn more at ow.ly/4mON50LAFIH.

Santa arrives at EastLake Village Marketplace

Santa arrives on the holiday express train at 1 p.m. Saturday at EastLake Village Marketplace, at Eastlake Parkway and Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. Enjoy free train rides, face painting, a free craft and free balloon sculptures. Children ages 12 and under will enjoy decorating a free wooden Gingerbread Special musical entertainment by local community groups: 1 p.m., Southwestern College Jazz Vocal Ensemble; 1:30 p.m., School of Rock Otay Ranch House Band; 2:30, Serenity Sisters; 3 p.m., EastLake High School Titan Concert Choir, Titanium & Spotlight Show Choir. Visit ShopEastLakeMarketplace.com.

Free celebration today in Mira Mesa

The public is invited to the free Christmas Celebration at Mesa Town Center from noon to 3 p.m. today at 8955 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego. The event features a free magic show, cookie decorating, balloon artist and face painter, plus children will get a free Santa hat. A special Santa’s Shoes presentation will be held at noon to representatives from the Rancho Family YMCA. Mesa Town Center purchased new shoes for children served by the Rancho Family YMCA.

Terra Nova Plaza hosts caroling

Terra Nova Plaza invites the public to a free holiday festival from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at 394 East H St., Chula Vista. The festival will feature caroling as part of the Ten Days of Caroling community program. The festival also features a magic show, balloon artist and face painter. Children will get a free Santa hat. New shoes for 25 children will be presented at 6 p.m. to the Border View Family & South Bay Family YMCA, and a check will be presented to Discovery Charter School. Terra Nova Plaza is making donations to all the community groups scheduled for the Ten Days of Caroling. They are: 5 p.m. Thursday, Southwestern College Concert Choir; 6 p.m. Friday, St. Rose of Lima Glee; 6 p.m. Saturday, Discovery Charter School Choir; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, Chula Vista Service Unit Girl Scout Troops; 5 p.m. Dec. 12, Southwestern College Jazz Vocal Ensemble; 5 p.m. Dec. 13, St. Rose of Glee Junior Glee; 5 p.m. Dec. 14, Advento Music & Performance Fusion; 5 p.m. Dec. 15, Southwestern College Vocal Ensemble; 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Lauderbach Elementary School; and 7 p.m. Dec. 17, Chula Vista Hills Elementary School Cheetah Chanters. Visit terranovaplaza.com and the center’s Facebook page, @terranovaplaza.

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