GEM FAIRE The 21st Annual Gem Faire will be held from noon to 7 p.m. March 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 6, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7, Del Mar Fairgrounds/Exhibit Hall. General admission is $5, and is valid for the entire weekend. Nearly 100 dealers from all over the world will be offering the largest selection of fine jewelry, gems, beads, crystals, minerals, findings and much more. Visit www.gemfaire.com or call (760) 390-3599 to learn more.

FAMOUS FIRSTS The Rancho Buena Vista Chapter of DAR will meet at 9 a.m. March 6, Shadowridge Country Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, Vista. Past Chapter Regent Pat Blair will present a PowerPoint program on “Famous Firsts by American Women.” For reservations, call (760) 736-0178 or e-mail rbvdar@gmail.com.

GET ORGANIZED Carlsbad City Library will host a workshop titled “Getting Organized: Myth vs. Reality” at 11 a.m. March 6, Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad. Professional organizer Taffy Cannon looks at ways that being better organized can save time, money and aggravation in tight economic times. Call (760) 602-2012 or visit www.carlsbadlibrary.org to learn more.

PANCAKES! Mohawk Nation boys and dads from the Ecke YMCA Adventure Guides program will serve the public at their Smashing Pancake Breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 6, Ecke YMCA, 200 Saxony Road, Encinitas. Proceeds from this event will support the annual Dreamcatcher Campaign.

TAKE A HIKE The city of San Marcos Community Services will sponsor a Discover San Marcos Hike to Cerro de las Posas and Double Peak Park at 9 a.m. March 6. Meet at San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Road, San Marcos. The hike offers overlooks of Lake San Marcos and views of the coastline. Visit www.san-marcos.net or call (760) 744-9000, ext. 3508 or ext. 3535 to learn more.

LOL Mental Health Systems will present the third annual Laugh for Recovery fundraising event at 3 p.m. March 7, Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. The event helps improve the lives of individuals impacted by mental illness and substance abuse. For tickets, visit www.bellyup.com or call (858) 481-8140.

STORMY WEATHER The chorus Through the Storm will perform at 4 p.m. March 7, Christ Presbyterian Church, 7807 Centella St., Carlsbad. The chorus is a group of interdenominational singers and musicians who perform spirituals and American gospel music. Call (760) 436-2707 for more details.

UGLY POOCH The 15th annual Ugly Dog Show will begin at 11:15 a.m. March 7, Del Mar Fairgrounds Paddock Area. The show will include contests for the ugliest dog, cutest dog, best trick, dog that most looks like its owner, the best costume and much more. Call (858) 755-5913 or visit www.uglydogcontest.com to learn more.

GOOD TIMES Contemporary Women of North County will meet at 6:15 p.m. March 8, Wood House, Woodland Park, 1148 Rock Springs Road, San Marcos. CWONC invites all women who want to help out in their community and meet new people. Call Lisa Pratte at (760) 294-1797 or visit www.cwonc.org for more details.

GO ONLINE The Computer-Oriented Genealogy Group will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 9, Carlsbad City Council Chambers, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Genealogist Gina Philbert Ortega will discuss how using Facebook can further genealogy contacts and research. Call (760) 967-8635 to learn more.

TAKE A TOUR The San Dieguito Woman’s Club will meet at 10:15 March 9, Old Encinitas Historical School House, 390 W. F St. The group will tour the Off-Track Art Gallery in the Lumberyard. Call (760)632-9768 for more details.

AAUW MEETING The Del Mar-Leucadia chapter of the American Association of University Women will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 10, MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus, Building 200, Room 201. Olympic gold medalist Deena Deardurff Schmidt will discuss her fight against Title IX sex discrimination. Call (619) 200-2720 to learn more.

SUPPORT Tri-City Medical Center will host a breast cancer support group from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 10, 4002 Vista Way, classroom 7, Oceanside. This support group is for community members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Call (760) 940-3632 for more details.

WHAT A MESS The Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation will host a discussion on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 10, Discovery Center, 1580 Cannon Road, Carlsbad. Join staff and scientists from Scripps Institute of Oceanography for a look at their recent excursion to the garbage patch. Call (760) 804-1969 or e-mail nkweaver@aguahedionda.org to learn more.

LIBRARY JAMS The Encinitas Library will present Veronica May at 6 p.m. March 11, library Community Room, 540 Cornish Drive. May will perform her soulful and heartfelt songs. Call (760) 753-7376 or visit www.encinitasconcerts.com to learn more.

NIGHT OUT Enjoy a parents night out from 5 to 9 p.m. March 12. Bring kids ages 3 to 10 to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 6066 Corte del Cedro, Carlsbad. Kids can enjoy a pizza dinner, create crafts, play games and watch a movie. Cost is $10 for first child, $5 for each additional child. Call (760) 930-1270 or visit www.holy-cross-church. org for reservations.

UNDER THE SEA LIFE at MiraCosta College will meet at 1 p.m. March 12, 1 Barnard Drive, Room 1068, Oceanside. Research Biologist David Jirsa will highlight current research being done at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. For details, call (760) 721-8124.

BACK TO NORMAL Recovering Couples Anonymous will meet at 7 p.m. every Monday, New Hope Community Church, 165 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. RCA is a fellowship of recovering couples who are committed to restoring healthy communication and caring to their relationships, and is based on the 12 Steps of AA. For details, visit www.recovering-couples.org.

PINOCCHIO The city of San Marcos Theatre West Youth Theater will present the musical production “Pinocchio” March 12 through March 14, and March 19 through March 21, San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive. Ticket prices are $7 for youth/students/seniors and $10 for adults. Visit www.san-marcos.net or call (760) 744-9000 for show times and more details.