January Calendar of Events

1/11 - 2/3: “Sentimental Mood”
Location: Subtext Gallery, Little Italy
Admission: Free
Info: subtextgallery.com
A recent graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University, graphic designer and illustrator Kristina Micotti is kicking off the New Year - and her career - with her first solo art show. On display at Subtext Gallery in Little Italy (opening reception Jan. 11), “Sentimental Mood” is a collection of Micotti’s portraits depicting some of her favorite folk heroes and jazz and blues musicians.

Weekends in January (and throughout the year): Full Moon Drive-In
Location: 1500 Felspar St., Pacific Beach
Admission: $10-$20
Info: fullmoondrivein.com
Kick it Old School at Pacific Beach Middle School, where the parking lot transforms into a drive-in movie theater on weekends. Showing in January: Stand By Me, double feature with Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Despicable Me, Alfred Hitchcock double feature with Psycho and The Birds, Groundhog Day, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Men in Black and Space Jam.

1/1: Polar Bear Swim
Location: La Jolla Shores
Admission: Free
Info: lajollacoveswimclub.com
Shake that New Year’s hangover with a frosty two-mile swim across La Jolla Cove. Hot cider, coffee and a chili potluck warm cockles (and help relieve shrinkage) at the finish line.

1/3 - 5: Brandon T. Jackson (stand-up comedy)
Location: The American Comedy Co., Gaslamp
Admission: $20 in advance, $23 at the door
Info: americancomedyco.com
Named among “10 Comics to Watch,” this Tropic Thunder and BET funnyman showcases his comedic chops during a three-night stint in Gaslamp.

1/5: America’s Next Top Model open casting
Location: Bellus Academy, Poway
Admission: Free (see website for eligibility requirements)
Info: cwtv.com/thecw/topmodel-cycle20-casting
Strut the catwalk for a chance to have Tyra Banks criticize you and tell you how wonderful she is during “Cycle 20” of the hit TV show America’s Next Top Model.

1/6: Resolution Run
Location: De Anza Cove, Mission Bay Park
Admission: $25-$45
Info: sandyfeetevents.com/resolution-run-5k-15k
Burn calories while running along Mission Bay in a 5K or 10K race benefitting San Diego Renewable Energy Society, Jeans for Justice and San Diego Roots Sustainable Food Project.

1/13 - 18: San Diego Restaurant Week
Location: 180+ restaurants throughout San Diego County
Admission: Lunch for $10, $15 or $20; Dinner for $20, $30 or $40
Info: sandiegorestaurantweek.com
Dine out at a discount as nearly 200 San Diego eateries offer prix-fixe lunches and dinners. (Register to win a $1,000 gift certificate package from participating restaurants on page 14.)

1/19: Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, Mission Valley
Admission: $12-$30
Info: monsterjam.com
Big tires, loud engines, monster trucks. These guys must be trying to compensate for something.

1/21: Squirrel Appreciation Day
Go nuts.

1/21 - 27: Farmers Insurance Open
Location: Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla
Admission: $30-$40 for day pass; $110-$130 for week pass
Info: farmersinsuranceopen.com
Watch top players from the PGA tour compete in week of golf at Torrey Pines, or just tee up a few drinks at the Tilted Kilt Tartan Terrace on the 15th green and say you saw Tiger Woods.

1/26: Stephen Strasburg 5K with Tony Gwynn
Location: Tony Gwynn Stadium, SDSU
Admission: $40-$45
Info: strasburg5k.com
Complete a 5K on the SDSU campus to support Aztecs Baseball and receive, among other goodies, a voucher for a haircut from SportClips. It’s a fun way to feel great and look, well, like you’ve been to SportClips.

1/26: Big Bay Whale Festival
Location: Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, Downtown
Admission: Free
Info: whaledays.com
Celebrate whale-watching season (grey whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California each December through April) by hugging a Jack Sparrow look-alike at this family-friendly festival, or hop aboard a Hornblower Cruise in hopes of spotting fins and spouts in real life.

1/29: WWE Smackdown
Location: Valley View Casino Center
Admission: $24-$99
Info: valleyviewcasinocenter.com
Watch (over-) grown men groping each other while wearing Speedos. It’s fun for the whole (far East County) family.

1/31: Jim Breuer’s Comedy Tour
Location: Sycuan Casino
Admission: $35
Info: sycuan.ticketsunplugged.com
Saturday Night Live’s “Goat Boy” and Joe Pesci imitator, Jim Breuer starred in the cult classic film Half Baked alongside Dave Chappelle.