📖 Keep reading

• “A California Love Story” by John W. Thill | Release date: May 19, 2023
• “Kiss Me, Mi Amor” by Alana Quintana Albertson | Release date: July 4, 2023
• “Chameleon: A Black Box Thriller” by Remi Adeleke | Release date: July 25, 2023
• “The Invisible City” by John W. Wells III | Release date: Aug. 28, 2023
• “Forgotten San Diego” by David Marshall and Eileen Magno | Release date: Aug. 28, 2023

• Wild Holidays | Through Sunday, Dec. 31 | 4-8 p.m. | San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido | Included with admission | The attraction twinkles with seasonal lights, special entertainment, and festive areas like the Forest of Color and Enchanted Lagoon.
• “Joy to the World": Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four | Monday, Dec. 18 | 6 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $35-$67 | The musical family performs beloved Christmas carols from their latest album, “Joy to the World.”
• Eco Wreath + Mixed Florals Workshop | Monday, Dec. 18 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Wild Island Collective, 3504 Adams Ave., San Diego | $65 | Create a modern, minimalist wreath using a blend of evergreens — with a splash of dried and fresh florals.

• Outdoor Holiday Movie: “Elf” | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 5:30 p.m. | Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista | Free | Follow Buddy the Elf’s sweet tale — wear your favorite ugly sweater.
• How The Grinch Stole Trivia | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 6-8 p.m. | Liberty Public Market, 2820 Historic Decatur Rd., San Diego | Free | Answer the who’s Who of Whoville at this trivia game.

• Abbey Road: Christmas with the Beatles | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 8-10 p.m. | Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach | $20-$35 | This show celebrates the Fab Four and the holiday season.

• “Every Day Vanilla” | Through Friday, Dec. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | MOXIE Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Ste. N, San Diego | $19-$75 | This coming-of-age story by Lani Gobaleza follows a queer, Filipina girl as she learns to love her hometown of San Diego.

• San Diego is seeking community feedback as it conducts a nationwide search for its new chief of police. The city will host nine open forums across districts in January 2024 before the interview process begins. The new San Diego Police Department chief will replace David Nisleit, who will retire in June.

• Crews have begun construction on The Iris at San Ysidro, an affordable housing complex that will add 100 new homes. The county has provided $10.5 million for the project and is committed to offering on-site behavioral health services for 20 years. It’s expected to be completed in 2025.

• Wonderfront Festival is planning to take stage in May 2024. The waterfront event is typically held in November, but its new spring timeline will allow it to take advantage of more daylight and separate itself from KAABOO, which is slated to return in fall 2024. More details are expected next month. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Bonita is buzzing — local coffee chain Better Buzz is opening its new shop at 4041 Bonita Rd. today. The location will focus on to-go orders with drive-thru and walk-up services, but there is also a small, outdoor patio.

• After 45 years in business, Tio Leo’s will be closing its original Grantville location. The local Mexican restaurant opened in 1979 and will wrap up operations on Dec. 31, but its two other locations in Poway and Linda Vista will remain open. (NBC 7)

• Ferdinand, a beloved beluga whale at SeaWorld San Diego, has died at age 53. The cetacean moved to the theme park from the Duisberg Zoo in Germany in 2004 and helped researchers better understand the species. He was believed to be the oldest beluga at any zoo in the world. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• “Whamageddon.” A game where you try to avoid listening to “Last Christmas” by Wham! from Dec. 1 through Dec. 24 — if you hear it, you lose. Chances are, you’ve already lost this year; the song was the No. 5 most popular track in San Diego last week, according to Spotify. (KPBS)