🏗️ The Scottish Rite Center

🔨 The Home Depot

• Club Kokomo Cocktail Competition | Monday, Dec. 11 | 7 p.m. | Swan Bar, 2933 Adams Ave., San Diego | Free | Get in the spirit and watch bartenders shakin’ up epic cocktails.
• Frisky Funk | Monday, Dec. 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Riviera Supper Club, 7777 University Ave., La Mesa | $35 | Experience a night of dining, drinks, and burlesque performances set to funky tunes spun by Corvette.
• “Million Dollar Quartet Christmas” | Monday, Dec. 11 + Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $38+ | Inspired by its namesake hit musical, this show pulls from Christmases past to weave together the lives and sounds of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley.
• “Star of Ocotillo” | Monday, Dec. 11 | 8 p.m. | OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista | $15-$40 | This Chicano Christmas dark comedy follows the story of a Hollywood couple that builds a luxury home on the edge of the border, and a guest who exposes secrets.

• Chanukah Celebration | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 4-6 p.m. | The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona | Free | Chabad La Costa leads this lighting of the Menorah, plus family-friendly activities.
• Hanukkah Under the Stars | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 5-8:30 p.m. | Mission Valley Mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio N., San Diego | Free | Gather at Nordstrom Rack Court to see the new Menorah display and enjoy live music, magicians, games, and a dreidel craft station.
• Outdoor Holiday Movie: “The Grinch” | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista | Free | Have a nice time watching the mean, green, Christmas-stealing fiend.
• “Gremlins” | Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | La Paloma Theatre, 471 S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas | $12 | Catch a screening of the 1984 cult classic as it invades the historic Encinitas theater — but you’ll have to keep at least one eye open.

• “People Who Look Like Art” | Through Jan. 12, 2024 | 9 a.m.-9 p.m. | Mandell Weiss Gallery, 2650 Truxtun Rd., San Diego | Free | This exhibition of photographs by Lorraine Triolo — curated by Elizabeth Tobias — features snapshots of people captured at museums, galleries, art fairs, and openings.
• Holiday Nights | Wednesday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Verano Norte, San Diego | Free | The winery village twinkles with lights, carolers, and holiday vendors.

1. The Savvy Oak Dough Bowl Candle is unique and smells amazing.
2. Holiday parties just got better with the savory Appalachian Trail Mix.
3. Glassware featuring our city’s skyline is a festive way to toast to the holidays.
4. Celebrate the city and state we all love with artwork great for any home or office.
5. Perfectly curated gift sets are excellent go-to presents for the holidays.

• The San Diego Planning Commission has approved a proposal to redevelop northeast Mission Bay, increasing its marshland to 262 acres and recreation space to 66 acres. The plan is expected to head to the city’s Environment Committee in early 2024, and approval from San Diego City Council should follow. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• A dead, 52-ft, female fin whale washed ashore early yesterday on the sand near Santa Rita Place in Pacific Beach. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and San Diego Lifeguards are gathering data, trying to determine what happened to the animal. (NBC 7)

• Beep, beep. A Gunther Volvo Cars survey ranked Interstate 5 among the most loathed highways in America, in part due to constant construction and rush hour traffic. No surprise — the California freeway’s Los Angeles stretch is “most painful” for drivers, so let’s stick to the SD side, shall we? (Gunther Volvo Cars Daytona)

• SAGO, a new restaurant and entertainment spot, has debuted in Encinitas — 485 S. Coast Highway 101. The jungle-esque space features DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, and a menu that includes artisan pizzas and craft cocktails. It’s open Wednesday-Sunday, starting at 4:30 p.m., and weekends starting at 10 a.m.

• A new law will expand Medi-Cal coverage to more San Diegans ages 26-49 beginning Jan. 1, 2024, regardless of immigration status. Locals can learn more and apply; eligibility requirements — including household income limits — still stand.

• Our friends at Eater San Diego have released the local winners of their 2023 Eater Awards. The scrumptious standouts include: Leucadia’s Atelier Manna as best new neighborhood restaurant; the swanky and newly transformed LaFayette Hotel for best night out, and Kearny Mesa’s Yiko Yiko for best new dessert shop. (Eater San Diego)

• Did you know? The Grinch costume in The Old Globe’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is heavy — director James Vásquez says the green hair alone weighs 8 pounds. Check out the local production (running through Sunday, Dec. 31) and other live holiday performances while there’s time.

• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System is riding the holiday sweater trend. For a limited time, the Transit Store at 1255 Imperial Ave. is selling festive, $50 sweaters featuring a colorful holiday pattern (think trees and snowflakes), the MTS logo, and a fleet of little red Trolleys and buses.

• The Geminids meteor shower is predicted to peak on Wednesday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 14. According to NASA, this dazzling annual shower is considered “one of the best and most reliable.” Read up on where and when to catch the cosmic light show, based on your location. (NASA)

• 42% prefer the minimalist look with soft, white lights
• 26% opt for a little flare with traditional, multi-colored lights
• 21% enjoy any light displays that they don’t have to put up themselves — fair enough, friends, fair enough
• 5% love a light display synced to holiday music
• 5% marvel at full-blown, Griswold-style displays seen from a mile away