Oceanside International Film Festival Through Feb. 27, Brooks Theater The Oceanside International Film Festival is back at the Brooks Theater. North County’s longest running film festival continues through Sunday, bringing film from around the world to the heart of the Oceanside Cultural District in Downtown Oceanside. Experience over 55 films screening at Oceanside’s premiere showcase and celebration of the cinematic arts. View the full schedule and list of showtimes below. Both Day Passes and Festival Passes are still available. BUY TICKETS

Cheese & Wine 101Feb. 24, Al Fresko Join Al Fresko from 6-7 p.m. Thursday on the market’s patio for a night with sommelier Casey Toggweiler as Al Fresko takes you to France, Italy, Spain, Tasmania and California with wines from around the world. $50 includes wine plus cheese pairings, as well as light snacks from Al Fresko. Reserve or walk in. Al Fresko is also launching monthly charcuterie workshops with a Brunch Graze Workshop next Sunday, March 6. Learn how to build the perfect brunch graze board with all the ingredients provided from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. FIND OUT MORE

Art in Conversation: “Art as an Act of Resistance & Collective Healing”Feb. 26, The Star Theatre Don’t miss the premiere of this new work inspired by the writings and contributions of Gordon Parks from choreographer and artist Ajay Junious of Continuum Dance Project and arts educator and musician BJ Robinson. The final free event of the Oceanside Public Library and NCAAWA Black History programs and the latest event of the Continuum arts engagement series Art in Conversation, “Art as an Act of Resistance & Collective Healing” will include a Q&A discussion Sunday at 2 p.m. REGISTER

Black Nerds Expo Feb. 26, Online A space for attendees to explore and celebrate Black comics, books, art, video games, pop culture, content creation, science, tech, engineering and math (STEM), the Black Nerds Expo returns online from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. A MiraCosta College event that is free and open to everyone, Black Nerds Expo will offer presentations; special guests; cosplay, film and writing contests; opportunity drawings; and more. All contest submissions are due before the event begins. FIND OUT MORE

Creative Communal Makers Market Feb. 26, Rising Co. and Pacific Coast Spirits Creative Communal returns to Rising Co. and Pacific Coast Spirits Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Along with a variety of handmade artisanal goods from area makers, this free event will include live music by Iron Sage Wood, Vintage BOW mocktails, Swoonful cotton candy, Seaborne Coffee and a DIY Bracelet Making Station from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. FIND OUT MORE

Dog Adoptions at Coomber Craft Wines Feb. 26, Coomber Craft Wines Come out and find your new furry friend Saturday from noon 4-p.m. at the Downtown Oceanside family-owned winery and tasting room. Coomber Craft Wines is partnering with the nonprofit rescue and adoption organization Tragic to Magic to find these loveable dogs a new forever home. All adoptable dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations and have been spayed or neutered. FIND OUT MORE

Oceanside Museum of Art’s 25th Anniversary Gala Feb. 26, The Seabird Join Oceanside Museum of Art for its 25th Anniversary Gala at The Seabird Resort. The gala will launch a year of festivities as the museum brings people together to celebrate the transformative power of art. Twilight Tickets include dessert and dancing from 8-11 p.m. Start your night out on the town and finish it with music, decadent treats and exciting and unexpected art at The Seabird with OMA. BUY TICKETS

Digital Equity Workshop March 3, Oceanside Public Library City of Oceanside is developing a Digital Equity & Inclusion Plan aimed at understanding and addressing the digital divide in our community. As part of this effort, the City is hosting a Digital Equity & Inclusion Community Workshop next Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center Library Community Rooms. The City is interested in hearing your unique perspective into how the plan can best serve residents and businesses. Photo by Anna Nevares Images FIND OUT MORE

Artist Reception: “Do You Believe in Happily Ever After?” March 4, Brooks Theater Gallery An exhibition by the Sargent Art Group featuring artists who explore this question is being presented in visual partnership with the Oceanside Theatre Company and New Village Arts co-production of the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods,” which will run from March 18-May 1 at the Brooks Theater. New Village Arts is currently in residence at Oceanside Theatre Company while the Carlsbad theater is undergoing renovation. This free reception at 6:30 p.m. next Friday will offer light refreshments. FIND OUT MORE

CDBG & HOME Funds Survey and Community Meeting March 7, Oceanside Public Library The City of Oceanside’s Neighborhood Services Housing Division is seeking input from community partners regarding affordable housing, community development and economic development. The City received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding to enhance the quality of life for residents. Complete the survey on how the funds should be spent or attend the final Community Meeting in the Civic Center Library Community Rooms from 5-6:30 p.m. Photo by Julie Gayle TAKE THE SURVEY

Women of Note II March 20, Bliss Tea & Treats Join Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation and Bliss Tea & Treats for this second annual afternoon tea in celebration of Women’s History Month featuring some of the brightest stars in San Diego. At this OMFest event, women performers will celebrate women artists in two private performances at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Choose between Le Creme tickets, which include tea and dessert, or Royal Afternoon Tea tickets, which include tea service, sandwiches and dessert. BUY TICKETS

26th Annual Oceanside Independence Parade June 25, Downtown OceansideSAVE THE DATE! A local tradition since 1892, the Oceanside Independence Parade is returning to Downtown Oceanside. Come see floats, bands, walking groups, vintage cars and more go by on Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue north to Civic Center Drive just past City Hall. This year’s theme is once again “Hometown Heroes.” To find out more and or to volunteer, go to the link below and follow our Facebook group. FIND OUT MORE

MEET OUR NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Mary Jo Canaletti An Oceanside native with years of experience with nonprofits and community theaters, Mary Jo Canaletti joins MainStreet Oceanside from New Village Arts, where she was most recently Patron Services Manager of the Carlsbad theater. Canaletti will oversee volunteers for all of our programs and events, including the Downtown Ambassador Program, the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market and Sunset Market, and the Oceanside Independence Parade. She will also assist with placing members on our volunteer-driven committees, including Promotions, Design and Economic Development. FIND MORE & VOLUNTEER

SDG&E ENERGY TIP

Prevent dust and dirt from building up Reduce your business’s heating bill by replacing air filters (or cleaning them if they’re reusable) monthly, especially during peak heating and cooling seasons. Keeping air filters clean can prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system. When dirt builds up, it can lead to expensive maintenance repairs or the need for a new system. READ MORE

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO MICROBUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM

Apply Feb. 15-March 31

Attention MainStreet Oceanside market vendors and makers! The California Office of the Small Business Advocate has awarded $4,175,000 in funding to the County of San Diego for the Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. This program will provide grants of $2,500 to County of San Diego microbusiness owners who were in operation in 2019, are still in operation and were impacted by the COVID-19 public health restrictions.

The County of San Diego is partnering with the San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network along with the Asian Business Association of San Diego, East County Economic Development Council, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation and South County Economic Development Council to assist microbusiness owners to apply for this grant funding. Grants are to be distributed evenly between each of the five supervisorial district areas. FIND OUT MORE

FARMERS MARKET VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Awafee Gluten Free Available at both the Oceanside Morning Farmers Market and Sunset Market, Awafee Gluten Free sells crème brulee, gluten-free baked cakes, cookies and macarons. FIND OUT MORE

EVERY THURSDAY ALL YEAR ROUND

MainStreet Foundation | 701 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92054